Peru declares state of emergency in 283 districts amid heavy rains
Lima, March 13
Peru has declared a state of emergency in 283 districts to mitigate high risks and address the impact of intense rainfall on public safety, the official gazette El Peruano reported.
According to several decrees published in the gazette on Thursday, the emergency measure will be in effect for 60 calendar days across 20 of Peru's regions, including Lima, Amazonas, Ancash, Cusco and Arequipa.
During the emergency period, regional and local governments, in coordination with the National Institute of Civil Defence and various ministries, will implement immediate and necessary exceptional measures and actions for disaster response and the rehabilitation of affected areas.
Ministers of the country are also deployed in different affected areas to directly supervise response and relief efforts, as well as to mobilise health brigades that provide first aid, psychological support, and humanitarian assistance to the affected population.
The Peruvian Armed Forces have also deployed specialised personnel to assist with rehabilitation and logistics, working in coordination with the National Police, Xinhua news agency reported.
Earlier on March 3, the country's Ministry of Health reported at least 41 people have been killed and one remains missing as a result of the rainy season in Peru since the beginning of this year.
According to an official statement 56 people had been injured, of whom 48 were discharged and seven remain hospitalised.
On February 25, the Peruvian government had declared a 60-day state of emergency in various regions in view of the imminent danger posed by intense rainfall.
Torrential downpours have caused widespread damage across southern Peru, affecting about 5,500 homes and forcing many residents to evacuate.
Peru experiences heavy rains primarily due to the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon, which warms coastal waters, increases atmospheric moisture, and triggers intense, seasonal rainfall. This is often intensified by warm, humid air from the Amazon Basin hitting the Andes mountains and the recent impacts of climate change.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The mention of El Nino and climate change is crucial. We see similar extreme weather patterns in India too with unseasonal rains and floods. This is a global problem. Hope the international community steps up to help Peru with rehabilitation.
Deploying the armed forces for logistics is a smart move. They have the discipline and resources for large-scale relief ops. 283 districts is a massive area to cover. Hope aid reaches the remotest villages.
Providing psychological support is so important and often overlooked. Losing your home and seeing such destruction is traumatic. Glad to see it's part of their response plan. More governments should include mental health in disaster management.
The article says an emergency was declared earlier in February too. Seems like the situation kept worsening. It highlights the need for better early warning systems and resilient infrastructure, especially in mountainous regions like the Andes. We learn this the hard way in the Himalayas as well.
5,500 homes affected is a staggering number. Rebuilding will take years. While the 60-day emergency response is needed, I hope there is a long-term rehabilitation plan with proper funds. Sometimes governments are good at immediate relief but fail in the long haul.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.