Peru – Thousands Hit by Floods in San Martín and Junín Regions

by in Americas, News

Overflowing rivers in Peru’s San Martín and Junín regions have caused damage to infrastructure, homes and roads. Over 2,000 people have been affected.

Army personnel hekp with the flood clean up in in the province of Chanchamayo Province, 30 March 2019. Photo: Ministerio de Defensa Peru

Several rivers overflowed in Junín region in the central highlands of Peru from around 29 March, 2019. Heavy rain has also caused landslides in the region.

Emergency authorities say that 1,800 people have been affected in the province of Chanchamayo, with around 727 requiring relief and assistance. Communities in the districts of Pichanaqui and Perené have been hardest hit. Local media said the flooding had caused considerable damage, with initial assessments suggesting 30 homes had been destroyed and over 500 damaged.

Also in central Peru, heavy rain caused landslides in the province of Oxapampa, Pasco Region. Homes have been damaged and the Paucartambo-Chontabamba-Oxapampa highway blocked.

Further north, heavy rain caused the Huallaga River to break its banks on 31 March, flooding parts of El Porvenir and Papaplaya districts in San Martín province in the northern region of San Martín. Authorities report that 230 people have been affected and 65 houses flooded, as well as 2 schools and a public building.

Flooding and landslides in Peru during late March damaged or destroyed dozens of homes and prompted evacuations in the regions of Ancash, Amazonas and Cusco.

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