In the capital Lima, a 64-year-old man died; in the north of the country, eight people died
The rains, landslides and floods that have occurred in recent days in Peru have so far left one dead, two missing and hundreds of people affected in Lima, according to various official sources. The National Police confirmed to EFE this Thursday, the 16th, the death of a man who was reported missing on Tuesday in the district of Cieneguilla, in the province of Huarochirí, in Lima, on a day when there were repeated floods in some parts of the capital, albeit with less force than in previous days. The 65-year-old man became the first person to be confirmed dead as a result of the rains and landslides in the capital, which went on red alert on Tuesday, but which have affected the north of the country since last week, with eight deaths reported. Although rainfall has eased in Lima, in districts such as Chosica and Chaclacayo new landslides have been reported, causing property damage to homes and other infrastructure. The rains in the highlands caused an increase in river flows and overflows, house collapses and roadblocks, while during the night of this Thursday there were reports of infiltrations in the wall that protects the road along the Rimac river, in the historic center from the capital.
The National Emergency Center (COEN) reported that in the northern region of Piura, six people were reported injured and two missing, and houses were destroyed after heavy rain in Canchaque district. Authorities initiated “response actions” in the wake of the damage and evacuated residents to nearby hotels, relatives’ homes, auditoriums and community centers while humanitarian aid was delivered to the victims. COEN added that moderate to heavy precipitation is expected on the coast of Tumbes, Piura and Ica, and hail, snow and moderate to heavy rain in the northern range. There is also the probability of snowfall in areas above 4,000 meters above sea level and hail in locations above 2,800 meters. The agency indicated that moderate to intense precipitation is expected in the southern and central mountains, accompanied by thunderstorms and gusts of wind. Defense Minister Jorge Chávez said 5,000 members of the Armed Forces were working to deal with the emergency in regions affected by the torrential rains. The heavy rains in Peru have increased since last week with the arrival of the Cyclone Yakuwhich began to move away from the Peruvian coast, but left numerous material damages in the north and center of the country.
*With information from EFE
