Peru’s Piura braces for return of El Nino

Piura, a northern city in Peru, is bracing for the return of the powerful El Nino weather phenomenon. The UN experts anticipate that this cycle will be stronger than any seen before. As torrential rain is forecasted for November, the city's 600,000 residents are taking urgent measures to protect themselves from potential flooding.

Many are constructing barriers, digging trenches, and relocating to higher ground, as Sara Castillo, an 83-year-old retiree, has done. Castillo, who has seen the devastating effects of previous El Nino events, recalls the 1983 disaster which caused 512 direct and 8,500 indirect deaths in Peru.

The city's municipal workers are working tirelessly to clear the Piura River of debris and vegetation, preventing it from overflowing. However, the lack of proper drain maintenance has led to foul smells and increased risk of flooding. Despite the mayor's efforts and the allocation of a meager 36.8% of the disaster risk reduction budget, it appears that prevention measures have been insufficient.

Marina Farias, a hydrology expert, calls for proactive water diversion into the desert, rather than merely cleaning up after the damage is done.