Peru has declared a 60-day state of emergency in nearly three-quarters of its districts because of the risk of exceptional rainfall and flooding associated with El Niño, according to local media reports cited by ANSA.
The measure, adopted by the government of President Keiko Fujimori, applies to areas in all 25 administrative regions. It calls for urgent action by national, regional and local authorities, with the decision justified by regional governments’ insufficient capacity to manage the emergency on their own.
Authorities say warmer Pacific waters raise the risk of intense rain, river flooding and mud and debris flows known locally as “huaicos.” The most critical conditions are reported in the northern regions of Tumbes and Piura, where rain has already caused flooding and forced some residents to evacuate. Severe water shortages persist in the southern Andes and the Amazon basin.
Sources: ANSA Mondo.