The flooding around the Mapocho river has also cut off routes leading towards the Pacific Ocean, hitting families who live on its banks and leaving small towns isolated.
This led authorities to declare a "red alert" and order preventive evacuations in various towns in the south of Santiago.
"This is the worst weather front we have had in 10 years," Santiago metropolitan area governor Claudio Orego said.
The flooding of the Mapocho river has also affected parts of the busy route that connects Santiago with the key port city of Valparaiso.
In mountainous tourist areas around the Maipo river, authorities have since Thursday been moving residents out of their towns due to the risk of landslides and further flooding.
Persons:
SANTIAGO, Claudio Orego, Franco Rodriguez, Natalia Ramos, Carolina Pulice, Sarah Morland
Organizations:
Reuters, Thomson
Locations:
Santiago, Noviciado, Valparaiso, City