A state of emergency has been declared in Peru’s 283 districts to mitigate high risks and address the impact of intense rainfall on public safety, media reports said. The emergency measure will be in effect for 60 days across 20 of Peru’s regions, including Lima, Amazonas, Ancash, Cusco and Arequipa. During the emergency period, regional and local governments, in coordination with the National Institute of Civil Defence and various ministries, will implement immediate and necessary exceptional measures and actions for disaster response and the rehabilitation of affected areas.
Ministers are also deployed in different affected areas to directly supervise response and relief efforts. The Peruvian Armed Forces have also deployed specialised personnel to assist with rehabilitation and logistics, working in coordination with the National Police. Peru experiences heavy rains primarily due to the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon, which warms coastal waters, increases atmospheric moisture, and triggers intense, seasonal rainfall.
