One of the world's driest deserts has turned into a flower garden
After heavy rains in northern Chile, flowers have bloomed in the Atacama Desert, one of the driest regions in the world. Experts say that the blooming could peak in October and the flowers could cover an area of nearly 15,000 hectares.
One of the world's driest deserts has burst into bloom
According to the publication Naked Science, citing the AFP agency, torrential rains associated with El Niño have completely transformed the appearance of vast, usually arid areas.
In the soil of the Atacama, seeds and bulbs of various plants had been waiting for favorable conditions for a long time. Due to heavy rainfall, moisture penetrated deeper into the sandy soil than usual, creating an opportunity for them to germinate.
The blooming was observed in a nature reserve located about 800 kilometers north of the Chilean capital, Santiago. The desert covered in flowers is attracting people's attention.
El Niño brings unusual heat and drought to some parts of the world, and heavy rainfall to others. According to the report, the torrential rains in Chile had severe consequences for the population: 13 people died, and nearly four thousand homes were destroyed.