Torrential Rain Floods Piura in Peru: Streets, Markets and Homes Inundated as El Niño Is Expected to Intensify From November, Putting Some 1.2 Million People at Risk
Torrential rainfall on October 20 flooded streets, markets and homes in Peru's northern Piura region. The Weather Channel reported on October 21 that meteorologists expect El Niño conditions to worsen beginning in November, bringing flash flooding and mudslides that could damage Peru's agriculture industry.
Luis Vazquez, head of Peru's Civil Defense Institute (INDECI), told a press conference earlier that, based on historical data from regions impacted by El Niño, approximately 1.2 million people could be affected, with at least 10 regions identified as likely to be hardest hit. Authorities have identified 536 critical points most vulnerable to the storms and are implementing preventive measures. The government has declared a state of emergency in 796 districts due to the risk of rain and flooding, and in 607 districts due to water shortages.
El Niño, which warms the surface of the Pacific Ocean and causes intense rains and droughts across Latin America, is already impacting Peru's fishing and agriculture sectors. Vazquez said the aim now is to reduce vulnerabilities and mitigate any potential damage. (Compiled from The Weather Channel, October 21, and Reuters reporting)
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 秘鲁 Piura 市 Piura 河与 Bolognesi 桥实景（资料图）。图片来源：Wikimedia Commons 文件 PUENTE BOLOGNESI - PIURA.jpg，Cesar Leigh 摄，CC BY-SA 4.0 授权
