Peru Issues Emergency Declaration as Deadly Flooding Devastates Nearly Half the Country

Peru's interim president has declared a state of emergency for more than 700 districts after deadly rainfall and flooding linked to El Niño weather patterns. The disaster has killed 68 people since December and damaged nearly 600 miles of roadways that serve half a million residents weekly.

LIMA, Peru — Interim President José María Balcázar issued an emergency declaration Wednesday covering more than 700 districts throughout Peru as devastating rainfall, mudslides, and floods continue wreaking havoc across nearly half the nation’s territory.

The emergency order, which appeared in Peru’s official government publication, is designed to expedite financial assistance to local and regional governments as they work to protect critical infrastructure such as highways, bridges, electrical systems, and water supplies while safeguarding residents’ lives and well-being. The declaration encompasses districts spanning Peru’s Pacific coastline, Andean mountains, and Amazon rainforest regions.

Weather officials attribute the extreme conditions to the Coastal El Niño climate pattern, which has caused ocean temperatures to rise dramatically. While the rainfall has grown more intense recently, the new administration couldn’t act on emergency measures until this week. Balcázar’s cabinet members were only sworn into office Tuesday, concluding a ministerial vacancy that started February 17 when his predecessor José Jerí was ousted amid corruption and influence-peddling allegations.

Transportation officials reported Wednesday that approximately 580 miles of roadways have sustained damage across the country, with the worst destruction occurring in four regions experiencing the heaviest precipitation. These transportation arteries provide essential access for more than 500,000 people each week.

Government officials have revised the casualty count upward, confirming that 68 individuals have perished from weather-related incidents since December began. Recent fatalities include a father and his son who were killed by a mudslide in Arequipa, along with a Lima police officer who lost his life in the Rimac River while trying to save a dog caught in Andean floodwaters.

Weather experts say Pacific Ocean temperatures continue climbing, with the Coastal El Niño phenomenon anticipated to intensify somewhat during March. The elevated sea surface temperatures create excessive evaporation and produce torrential downpours while causing rivers to swell beyond their banks.