Persistent heavy rains trigger flooding and landslides, affecting more than 3 000 homes in Peru
Heavy rains have caused flooding and landslides in northern Peru over the past few days, affecting as many as 3 000 homes. Around 160 mm (6.2 inches) of rain fell in a 24-hour period in Yurimaguas, capital of Alto Amazonas Province in Loreto Region, which is more than half the city's March average rainfall of 257 mm (10.1 inches).
Torrential rains caused flooding and landslides in the northern region, flooding as many as 3 000 homes.
In Yurmaguas, around 160 mm (6.2 inches) of rain fell in a 24-hour period to March 20 but much of the total fell in a three-hour period. Several areas of the city were submerged in 2 m (6.5 feet) of floodwater. About seven districts in the city were flooded, particularly around Yurimaguas Airport.
Parts of the San Martin region were also inundated.
According to disaster authorities, around 20 homes were damaged or destroyed in Rioja, prompting more than 30 people to evacuate between March 16 and 21. Meanwhile, around 400 people were impacted in Moyobamba from March 21.
As of March 22, people in Yorongos were left isolated after a road collapsed on the Rioja highway.
In Amazonas, heavy rains caused a landslide in Bagua Grande, Utcubamba Province, on March 17, leaving at least seven homes damaged and 28 people affected. A landslide also hit the district of Corosha in Bongara Province, damaging 10 homes and displacing six people.
Another landslide struck at the district of Camporredondo, Luya Province, on March 18, leaving five homes uninhabitable and five families displaced.
In Cajamarca, a mudslide hit the Chirinos area, San Ignacio Province, on March 16, damaging 20 homes. On the same day, a landslide damaged five homes, roads, and infrastructure in Jorge Chaves, Celendin Province.
Heavy rains also caused the Chililique canal to overflow on March 21, sending floodwaters to 15 homes in Jaen District, which affected about 45 people.
In the same period, the Monzon River overflowed in Monzon District, while a landslide affected 10 people.
Featured image credit: Good morning Peru/YouTube
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