Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori has warned that the country is preparing for an El Niño event of extraordinary intensity as heavy rain intensifies in the north. She chaired an emergency meeting at the National Emergency Operations Center following severe precipitation in the departments of Tumbes and Piura.
The National Meteorology and Hydrology Service reported that more than 100 millimeters of rain had fallen in both regions in recent hours, describing the amounts as unprecedented for this time of year. Its head, Grinia Ávalos Roldán, said another period of intense rain was expected from November 5 to 7, with particularly heavy precipitation forecast for November 7 and 8.
The government has deployed the army and civil protection teams to deliver humanitarian aid and respond in affected areas. In Zarumilla, in the department of Tumbes, the rainfall has displaced around 700 people and flooded 150 homes.
Sources: ANSA Mondo.