Peru Floods: State of Emergency Declared Due to Severe Rainfall

On March 5, 2025, Peru declared a State of Emergency in various districts due to severe rainfall. Tumbes has been the hardest hit, with over 8,000 individuals affected. Other regions, including Piura and Lima, also report significant impacts. Authorities are assessing the evolving situation as rainfall continues to escalate along the northern coast.

On March 5, 2025, the Peruvian government published Supreme Decree No. 026-2025-PCM, which declared a State of Emergency across various districts in provinces such as Amazonas, Áncash, and Tumbes, among others. This decision was prompted by the severe damage caused by heavy rainfall, aiming to prevent and respond to the ongoing emergency situation. Tumbes has been particularly affected, suffering substantial damage due to intense precipitation, while other regions continue to experience ongoing rainfall with serious implications according to the National Meteorology and Hydrology Service (SENAMHI).

Preliminary assessments indicate significant impacts in several areas. In Piura, by February 27, heavy rains affected 606 individuals in Canchaque, Huancabamba Province, resulting in 65 displaced individuals, one destroyed house, and damage to another 343 homes. Furthermore, in Lima, as of March 3, torrential rains in San Bartolomé led to landslides and debris flows that caused material damage to residences and roads. Authorities are still evaluating the overall scale of impacts in these regions.

As the emergency progresses, additional damage reports are emerging, although the scale of impact in most regions is comparatively less severe than in Tumbes. Notably, over 8,000 individuals in Tumbes have been affected, highlighting its need for humanitarian assistance. Intensified rainfall along Peru’s northern coast, triggered by the weakening of the South Pacific Anticyclone since February 22, is a significant contributing factor to the current emergency situation.

The declaration of a State of Emergency in several provinces of Peru, particularly Tumbes, highlights the grave effects of intense rainfall on infrastructure and populations. With ongoing assessments revealing varying levels of damage across different regions, the need for humanitarian aid in Tumbes is urgent, as it has been the most severely impacted area. The government and relevant authorities must continue to monitor the evolving situation to provide necessary assistance.

Original Source: reliefweb.int