El Niño puts 1.2 million people at risk in Peru, authorities say
The El Niño weather phenomenon, which has brought some rain and an unexpected rise in temperatures to Peru, could put more than 1 million people at risk in regions of the country vulnerable to climate change, according to national authorities.
El Niño, a weather event causing warmer Pacific waters and intense rains, could put over 1 million people at risk in vulnerable areas of Peru, according to national authorities. The Civil Defense Institute's head, Luis Vazquez, announced that the phenomenon is expected to worsen starting in November, leading to flooding and mudslides in at least 10 regions.
Vazquez highlighted that 1.2 million people might be impacted based on historical data from affected regions. The hardest-hit areas include northern provinces mainly focused on agriculture, raising concerns about potential economic losses.
The weather phenomenon has already affected Peru's fishing and agricultural sectors. To mitigate risks, authorities have identified 536 critical points, areas most vulnerable to the storm, and have implemented preventive measures. El Niño's impacts extend beyond coastal flooding to droughts in southern Andean regions. The government has declared states of emergency in 796 districts due to rain and flooding risks and in 607 districts due to water shortages.
Heavy rainfall linked to El Niño recently caused flooding in Lima's homes and disrupted road traffic in the south, stranding freight trucks and passenger buses and limiting access to Machu Picchu. Vazquez stressed that the aim is to reduce vulnerabilities and lessen potential damage.
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