Violent mudflows and raging flash floods hit southern Peru
Non-stop intense downpour has triggered violent mudflows and raging flash floods across Peru's southern region, bringing the death toll to nine as of Monday, February 24, 2020. Red warnings for heavy rains, thunderstorms, and strong winds were issued for central regions in the country's south as the severe weather is expected to persist from February 25.
Floodwaters turned roads into rivers, causing widespread damage to homes and properties. Videos posted on social media showed muddy floods sweeping across streets, carrying debris, and knocking off houses as residents were heard in the background crying in devastation.
On February 21, five people were confirmed dead in the Tacna region while 10 others were injured due to the severe weather.
Flooding and landslides hampered search and rescue operations, according to authorities. The Peruvian army was deployed to help in rescue and recovery efforts.
One house was totally destroyed, while 249 sustained damages and a further 2 146 were inundated. According to Peru's disaster authority (COEN), 371 of the flooded homes were in Tacna, 450 in Pachia, and 800 in Pocollay district.
Areas of Jorge Basadre Province also bore the brunt of the inundations, displacing 28 households in the Ilabaya district.
Rivers across the region were swollen as a heavy downpour in the mountains triggered flash flooding downstream.
In the Cusco region, the Salkantay river burst in Santa Teresa district, sending floods across houses. Roads and bridges were damaged as a result.
Tres muertos por aluvión en Tacna y autoridades mantienen alerta preventiva en Arica https://t.co/tqyFLlLiXB pic.twitter.com/WJJDzmK7Lm
— ElMorrocotudo.cl (@elmorrocotudo) February 23, 2020
Heavy rains in Tacna in Peru have caused several floods in the region.(RCC) pic.twitter.com/4gq4V28mBF
— Global Climate Connection (@juliusmarcus77) February 22, 2020
This morning World Weather News is from Peru .
Major flow of mud, and flash floods in Tacna, Peru, after days of heavy rain, you can see in the video how fast this mud flow is..
Kind regards
KWT Dave pic.twitter.com/SfKUefWkgc— Kernow Weather Team (@KWTWeather) February 23, 2020
#COENInforma
El 12/2 se produjo el desborde del río Hilary, que afectó viviendas y la energía eléctrica en el dist. Cuyocuyo, prov. Sandia (Puno). Municipalidad Provincial, con apoyo de maquinaria pesada, realiza la limpieza y descolmatación del río. #COEN monitorea| @indeciperu pic.twitter.com/YPkXb7HuJz— COEN – INDECI (@COENPeru) February 14, 2020
According to AccuWeather, daily showers and thunderstorms are forecast to persist in the mountains of Peru over the next couple of days while rescue and recovery operations continue. Furthermore, downpours are expected to be more isolated as the cold front pushed north through Brazil.
Red warnings for heavy rain, strong winds, and thunderstorms were in place for central regions in southern Peru, including Tacna and Cusco, as intense downpour is expected to continue from February 25.
#TacnaEnEmergencia#Huayco#MedinaAbreLosOjos
Entrada del huayco a la ciudad de Tacna, por la Av. Circunvalación, cerca al terminal y el mercado Grau. Las lluvias nos están pegando duro. pic.twitter.com/zYWcjTEvcW— Lucciana Catunta (@Luxi_) February 22, 2020
#AndinaDrone Así luce Tacna tras los huaicos que inundaron sus calles: imágenes tomadas desde dron permiten ver el nivel de los estragos. https://t.co/tcWBHZMvTs
Foto: Cortesía/Diego Ramos Lupo pic.twitter.com/dVdC4OJ6xw
— Agencia Andina (@Agencia_Andina) February 22, 2020
[Fotogalería] Primer reporte preliminar sobre las lluvias y huaicos registrados en Tacna arroja que al menos hay 250 viviendas afectadas, así como infraestructuras que sufrieron daños por las precipitaciones. https://t.co/fXcLqIspuL
Foto: Cortesía/Diego Ramos Lupo pic.twitter.com/7ZyjgyayXX
— Agencia Andina (@Agencia_Andina) February 22, 2020
Featured image credit: Diego Ramos Lupo
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