Peru Floods: State of Emergency Declared Amid Severe Weather Impact
On March 5, 2025, a State of Emergency was declared in multiple districts of Peru due to severe rainfall, with Tumbes being the most affected region. The emergency status aims to address both immediate and future needs as the situation evolves. Preliminary assessments indicate significant damage in multiple provinces, with thousands in need of humanitarian support.
On March 5, 2025, Peru’s Supreme Decree No. 026-2025-PCM was issued, announcing a State of Emergency across several districts in various provinces, including Amazonas, Áncash, and Piura, due to extensive damage from heavy rainfall. This decree aims to address both preventive measures and reactive responses to the evolving emergency conditions caused by intense precipitation.
The emergency declaration came after Tumbes faced significant infrastructural and population damage from ongoing rainfall. For other affected districts, rainfall intensity remains high, with potential for future adverse effects, as reported by the National Meteorological and Hydrological Service of Peru (SENAMHI).
Initial assessments reveal varying impacts; in Piura, as of February 27, heavy rains impacted 606 individuals, displacing 65, while one house was destroyed, and 30 rendered uninhabitable. Additionally, in Lima, as of March 3, heavy rains prompted landslides in San Bartolomé, leading to damage to homes and temporary road disruptions. Authorities continue to evaluate the full scale of these impacts.
New reports of damage are emerging as the emergency progresses, although the severity remains less significant in other regions compared to Tumbes, where over 8,000 individuals require humanitarian help. The intense rainfall in northern Peru has been attributed to the weakening of the South Pacific Anticyclone, which started affecting the area on February 22.
The declaration of a State of Emergency in various districts of Peru due to heavy rainfall underscores the significant humanitarian challenge faced in impacted regions. Tumbes stands out with the highest need for assistance, while other areas such as Piura and Lima are also disadvantaged, albeit to a lesser extent. As the situation develops, ongoing assessments will be crucial for a timely response to the needs of the affected populations.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
