Since the end of January, the El Niño Coastal phenomenon has been configured due to the abrupt increase in sea surface temperature. It is expected to extend until the month of May, with moderate magnitude, declining its impact during April as reported by the Multisectoral Committee in Charge of the National Study of the El Niño Phenomenon (ENFEN).
As a consequence of the continuation of the intense rains, during February and in March, emergencies related to floods, flash floods and landslides, mainly on the north coast of the country, have occurred. According to official figures at national level (01 April), 101 people have died and 19 are considered disappeard, at least 1,100,346 people were affected, of which 149,848 are in need of humanitarian assistance, mainly in Piura, Lambayeque, La Libertad, Ica, Ancash, Arequipa, Lima and Tumbes departments.
The National Center for Estimating, Prevention and Reduction of Disaster Risk (CENEPRED) has estimated the potential risk in the population, in areas where the occurrence of heavy rains - until April 2 - can trigger landslides, debris flows or other type of mass movements. Districts with very high risk levels are in Cajamarca, Piura and La Libertad.
Since mid January, 818 districts in 97 provinces of 13 regions (from 25) were progressively being declared in state of emergency, level 4 of emergency in Peru.
On March 29, the national government, declared Piura region in national level state of emergency, this is level 5 of emergency (highest level), due to the latest heavy rains and flash floods that significantly increased the damages.
By the date of this report, the initial Multi-cluster Rapid Assessments (MIRA methodology) were completed in the departments of Piura, Lambayeque, Tumbes, and Lima in coordination between the UNDAC (United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination Team) and members of the Humanitarian Country Team in Perú (Red Humanitaria Nacional - RHN). In La Libertad an assessment was conducted with the participation of members of the RHN. The principal findings of the assessment were reported in the RHN meeting on March 29.
Piura:
On March 26, the Piura River overflowed in Morropon province, east of Piura, after approximately 24 hours of uninterrupted rain. On March 27, the Piura River reached its maximum limit in the city of Piura and flooded the streets of the capital and surrounding districts at the south of the city were totally flooded.
According to official information, 315,317 are have been affected in Piura (more than 91.400 are children), corresponding to 29% of all affected and victims nationwide. 50% of the population has limitations on access to safe water.
The Armed Forces mobilized a total of 3.600 troops and assisted more than 5.000 people in the Piura region during the first 48 hours after the latest floods. The President reported the transfer of some 10.000 people affected in the Catacaos district to safe havens in Piura. 31 shelters and 1,041 tents have been established in Piura, for 11,652 persons.
The goods whose donation is included in this Emergency Declaration are: medical equipment and material, food and beverages, clothing, personal hygiene and cleaning supplies, electric batteries and generators, communication tools, fuels, construction materials, water purification plants, tents, motor pumps, temporary bridges and sewers, mainly.
The national state of emergency in the department3 of Piura, shall last for 60 days and during that period, the immediate and necessary response and rehabilitation measures and actions may be carried out, using the national capacity (INDECI, Armed Forces and Regional Government) and the support of international assistance if necessary.