Peru

Recent heavy rains triggered severe floods and mudslides in Peru. According to El País, there were at least 75 people reported dead on 20 March 2017. The floods are the worst in almost 30 years, affecting over half of the country. There are shortages of food and water in many areas, including the capital Lima, which has been without water since 13 March. The floods are linked to El Nino phenomenon, which increases evaporation and brings heavy rains. The National Meteorology and Hydrology Service (Senamhi) has warned that the rains will intensify during this week, especially in the country’s northern coastal region.

The International Charter Space and Major Disasters was activated on 21 January 2014 for the flood event in Huancavelica, Peru.

Following the flooding of river Mantaro on 20 January, a landslide occured and disrupted transport. It is expected that the flooding will move further along riverside and will flood the near villages. The initial situation evaluation showed that due to the heavy rainfall 33 houses have collapsed, 2430 people were considered at risk. In one of the villages on the river, Cuzco, several people died and some 2000 tourists were stranded at Machu Picchu afte the railway collapsed.