At least 14 people have died and some 30,000 people have been affected by heavy flooding throughout Peru, the government and Operation Centre for National Emergencies (Indeci) reported on Wednesday (February 1), as a state of emergency was declared in the capital, Lima.
Rain triggered floods which destroyed a bridge and blocked the Central Highway in Lima, the main route connecting the capital with the centre of the country.
The intense rainfall caused the Huaycoloro River to overflow and burst its banks. This river empties into the Rimac River but the flooding spread water through the streets of Lima until it flooded the Ramiro Priale highway, causing road closures and traffic chaos.
The river crosses the Lima neighbourhood San Juan de Lurigancho, where at least 18 people have been injured.
According to local media reports, residents had earlier asked the National Water Authority to divert the riverbed a kilometre away from populated areas to connect with Rimac River, but they did not receive a response.
Local residents said the flash floods gave them no time to protect themselves or their possessions.
“Not five minutes had passed, I don’t think, and people started shouting, ‘flash floods! flash floods!’ and my wife came out shouting, ‘Arturo, get out, flash floods’. I went to the door and the river had already risen up to the door,” said local resident, Arturo Alvarez.
“My husband had gone out just before the flash flooding hit, and he was swept away by it. He’s n very bad shape. His hand is hurt and he’s all cut up. The floods were very strong, as you can see, all my things are destroyed, there is my wardrobe, I am sleeping in the street, and so far I have had no help, not even a tent,” added Sonia Ricapa.
Other nearby neighbourhoods were also hit. Police patrols sounded their sirens to alert the population of the impending danger.
Flood victims were seen guarding their belongings, while others were evacuated by civil defence workers. Many were unable to recover anything.
“Everything has been lost. All the appliances, furniture, possessions, absolutely everything. The water came up to waist level. The intensity didn’t allow us to recover anything at all,” said businesswoman, Evely Negrillo.
Heavy machinery was used to remove mud and tend to the emergency. Firefighters were also on the scene to help affected residents.
Rains are expected to continue, bringing more overflowing rivers and more mudslides.
(Reuters)
