On March 5, 2025, a State of Emergency was declared in multiple Peruvian provinces due to intense rainfall, affecting thousands in regions such as Tumbes and Piura. Ongoing assessments highlight varying levels of impact, with Tumbes needing urgent humanitarian aid. The situation escalated following the weakening of the South Pacific Anticyclone.
On March 5, 2025, Supreme Decree No. 026-2025-PCM declared a State of Emergency across various districts in several provinces of Peru, including Amazonas, Arequipa, and Piura, due to severe damage from intense rainfall. The decree addresses both preventive and reactive measures in response to the ongoing emergency following heavy precipitation. In the Tumbes region, the emergency was declared after substantial damage to the population and infrastructure was reported, while other areas continue to experience increasing rainfall intensity, as noted by SENAMHI.
Preliminary assessments reveal a varying extent of impact across regions. In the Piura Province, heavy rains recorded on February 27 adversely affected 606 individuals, with 65 displaced, one house destroyed, and significant damage to others. Additionally, in Lima’s San Bartolomé area, torrential rains triggered landslides and debris flows on March 3, causing material damage to homes and interruptions in road access. Authorities are currently evaluating the comprehensive impact of these events.
Emerging reports indicate ongoing damage as the emergency unfolds, with Tumbes identified as the most severely affected region, impacting over 8,000 residents and highlighting an urgent need for humanitarian assistance. The conditions worsened due to the weakening of the South Pacific Anticyclone, which has escalated rainfall along Peru’s northern coastline since February 22.
In summary, the declaration of a State of Emergency in multiple provinces of Peru underscores the severity of the flooding situation caused by intense rainfall. Tumbes has been identified as the hardest-hit area, necessitating immediate humanitarian assistance due to significant impacts on the population and infrastructure. Continuous evaluations are essential as the rainfall persists, and the authorities work to mitigate the ongoing emergency.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
