SITUATION
The worst floods and mudslides (huaicos) in almost 30 years are affecting over half of the country due to a sudden and abnormal warming of Pacific waters along the northern coast of Peru, identified as a coastal El Niño.
As of 27 March at 7.00 UTC, INDECI reported that 90 people have died, 347 have been injured and 20 more are missing. Over 863 000 people are affected, including more than 120 000 people in need of assistance. Over 153 000 houses have been affected. As of the same date, INDECI reported that over 6 475 km of roads have been damaged or destroyed, over 37 000 ha of crops have been affected. Reports inform of 49 shelters set up in Lima, Lambayeque and La Libertad.
The EU Civil Protection Mechanism was activated on 19 March. An EU Civil Protection Team has been deployed to Peru, whilst Copernicus Emergency Management Service maps are being produced. In addition, three DG ECHO humanitarian experts are on the ground carrying out needs assessments.
Sources: INDECI, DG ECHO, UNOCHA, Redhum, SENAMHI, Local Media
WEATHER FORECAST
- For the next 48 h, cloudy to overcast conditions with locally intense rain, showers and possible thunderstorms are forecast, especially over central and northern areas. For altitudes higher than 4 500 m asl (northern areas) and above 4 200 m asl (southern mountain areas) snow is forecast as well. No significant change is expected for temperatures, ranging between 22-33°C for coastal and main plain areas and between 6-19°C for higher elevated areas (Cuzco). Winds are expected to intensify tomorrow (up to 25-35 km/h), from south to southeast, and gusting locally up to 55 km/h (especially in central and southern coastal areas).
Sources: Meteocentre, ECMWF, SENAMHI
