Peru has announced a state of emergency in 283 districts to manage the risks and effects of heavy rainfall on public safety, as reported by the official gazette El Peruano. This measure will be in place for 60 days in 20 regions, including Lima, Amazonas, Ancash, Cusco, and Arequipa. Local authorities, along with the National Institute of Civil Defence and various ministries, will execute immediate actions for disaster response and area recovery during this emergency period.
Ministers from Peru are actively present in affected regions to oversee response and relief operations, and health teams are offering aid, psychological support, and humanitarian assistance to those impacted. Additionally, the Peruvian Armed Forces have deployed specialized personnel to aid in rehabilitation efforts, collaborating with the National Police, according to the Xinhua news agency. The Ministry of Health in Peru had earlier reported casualties and injuries due to the ongoing rainy season, with 41 fatalities and one person still missing, along with 56 injuries.
The Peruvian government had previously declared a state of emergency for 60 days in various regions to address the threats posed by heavy rainfall. The recent torrential downpours have caused significant damage in southern Peru, leading to evacuations from approximately 5,500 homes. The country’s rainy season is exacerbated by the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon, which brings warm coastal waters, increased atmospheric moisture, and intense seasonal rainfall, often compounded by warm, humid air from the Amazon Basin interacting with the Andes mountains and the effects of climate change.
