Atacama Desert blooms after El Nino rains in Chile

Chile's Atacama Desert has bloomed after El Nino rains, covering parts of one of the world's driest regions with flowers and drawing tourists to the northern desert.

Cesar Pizarro, head of Atacama biodiversity for Chile's forestry body CONAF, said seasonal rainfall of more than 180 millimeters in some areas had never been recorded before. CONAF expects the flowering desert phenomenon to peak in October and estimates that 15,000 hectares will bloom.

Seeds and bulbs from about 200 species can remain dormant beneath the desert surface until rain arrives. Pizarro said the bloom supports more than flowers, with insects, snails, birds, reptiles and mammals also proliferating.

The rains also caused damage. Torrential rain in Chile in July killed 13 people and destroyed or severely damaged about 4,000 homes.

Pizarro urged visitors to use established paths and leave pets at home to limit harm to the reserve, about 800 kilometers north of Santiago.