Peru – Floods Affect 60,000 in Lambayeque, 1,800 Homes Destroyed

by in Americas, News

Peru’s National Civil Defense Institute (Indeci) reports that as many as 1,877 houses have been destroyed by floods in Lambayeque region over the last few days. Over 60,000 people have been affected and one fatality reported.

Heavy rain that began on 31 January caused floods in the districts of Pacora, Jayanca, Illimo, Mochumi, Cayalti and Túcume in Lambayeque province of the region of the same name.

Further heavy rain has fallen since then and on 03 February, the La Leche river overflowed flooding areas of Lambayeque, Chiclayo and Ferreñafe provinces.

Indeci reports that 60,435 people have been affected and 24,755 displaced, including 6,000 in Morrope district, 3,735 in Jayanca, 7,510 in Chiclayo and 1,955 in José Leonardo Orti district, where 1 person has died and 15,000 affected.

The flooding has caused severe damage to houses and buildings in the affected areas. Indeci reports that 1,877 houses have collapsed, with 500 of them in Chiclayo district. A further 3,072 houses are considered inhabitable and 12,089 houses affected.

State of Emergency

President of Peru Pedro Pablo Kuczynski visited some of the affected areas on 02 February. He said via Social Media that “José Leonardo Ortiz and other districts affected in Lambayeque will be declared in State of emergency.”

Floods in Lambayeque, February 2017. Photo: Office of the President of Peru
Floods in Lambayeque, February 2017. Photo: Office of the President of Peru
President of Peru Pedro Pablo Kuczynski visits flood hit areas in Lambayeque, February 2017. Photo: Office of the President of Peru

Further Heavy Rain Expected in North Until 09 February

Servicio Nacional De Meteorologia E Hidrologia Del Peru (SENAMHI) forecasts that the rains will continue on the coast and the northern sierra until 09 February, with values of around 20-50mm per day expected in Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque and La Libertad and in particular between 04 to 06 February, where rainfall may exceed 100 mm per day.

Over 20 Dead Since December 2016

The recent flood disaster in Lambayeque is one of many to affect wide areas of the country over the last few weeks. In a summary of recent flood events (pdf) of 02 February, Indeci reported that since December 2016, 23 people have died and 37 injured in rain related incidents such as floods and landslides.

During period 01 December 2016 to 02 February 2017, over 6,000 people were displaced and 72,000 affected. Over 1,400 homes were destroyed or rendered inhabitable and almost 16,000 homes damaged. Eight of the deaths occurred in the Arequipa region, 4 in Cajamarca, 3 in Puno and 2 in Cusco. Other fatalities were reported in Ayacucho, La Libertad, Moquegua, Piura and San Martin. No further details of the fatalities were available. Figures do not include the current flood situation in Lambayeque.

Recent Floods in Arequipa, Huancavelica and Lima

Heavy rain has continued to affect the country since 25 January, causing floods and landslides in the regions of Arequipa, Huancavelica and Lima, including in areas around the capital city.

On 31 January, torrential rain caused the Rímac river and its tributary the Huaycoloro to overflow, flooding areas of San Juan De Lurigancho and Lurigancho Chosica districts in the east and north east of the city.. Over 180 homes have been flooded and 68 completely destroyed. The floods have destroyed roads and bridges in the area. No deaths or injuries were reported by Indeci.

Floods in Lima, Peru, February 2017. Photo: Indeci
Floods in Lima, Peru, February 2017. Photo: Indeci

In Huancavelica, heavy rain on 25 January caused the Sicra and Otomayo rivers to overflow, flooding parts of Lircay district in Angaraes province. According to Indeci reports, one person died, one was injured and 29 houses collapsed.

In Arequipa region, heavy rain caused flooding in the districts of Paucarpata and Chiguata, Arequipa province, on 29 January, 2017, affecting over 500 people. Indeci says that one person died and two were injured in Paucarpata district. Almost 90 homes were damaged across both districts, with 6 rendered uninhabitable.

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