Heavy Rain in Northern Chile Causes Flooding Two days of torrential rain in northern Chile have swollen rivers out of their banks, flooding homes, knocking down bridges and blocking the rail line to neighboring Peru. The Chilean army also fears flood waters may have displaced more land mines on the border. Heavy rain on Feb. 19 dislodged about 300 anti-tank mines, forcing authorities to close the area's main highway for several days. The mines were laid in the 1970s when tensions were high between Chile and Peru. Mud from the latest flooding has blocked the railroad, trapping a train carrying about 300 people who had to be evacuated. About 300 Chileans have had their homes flooded in the city of Arica, and officials say farms in the nearby Azapa Valley have been damaged.