Peru is experiencing the worst flooding in almost 30 years, leading to death and destruction even in parts of the country that typically remain dry.
More than 70 people have died, according to several news sources. Tens of thousands are now homeless.
And there’s more to come.
“Current analysis shows water temperatures 4-5 C (7-9 F) above normal along much of Peru’s coastline, and this is unlikely to change for at least several weeks,” according to AccuWeather. “This abnormal ocean warmth could lead to additional rounds of flooding through April before the normally drier weather associated with Peru’s dry season begins to take hold in May and June.”
“There’s no electricity, no drinking water ... no transit because streets are flooded,” Valentin Fernandez, mayor of the town Nuevo Chimbote, told Reuters. Many of the areas hit during the storm didn’t possess infrastructure capable of withstanding heavy rains and mudslides.
These photos show how people are coping:
Guadalupe Pardo/Reuters
A woman is assisted on March 17 while crossing a flooded street after the Huaycoloro River overflowed its banks, sending torrents of mud and water rushing through the streets in Huachipa, Peru.
Guadalupe Pardo/Reuters
A woman gets rescued via zipline in Lima, the country's capital, which normally remains pretty dry.
Mariana Bazo/Reuters
People try to cross the Rimac River.
Mariana Bazo/Reuters
A dog soaked in mud and water stands atop debris from a destroyed home.
Reuters
Municipality guards help residents cross a flooded street in Trujillo.
Guadalupe Pardo/Reuters
A man gets rescued after a massive landslide and flood in the Huachipa district of Lima.
Guadalupe Pardo/Reuters
A woman walks outside her house after a landslide and flood in Chosica.
Guadalupe Pardo/Reuters
A truck submerged in mud is seen on the central highway.
Reuters
A view of a damaged cemetery after rainfall and flooding in Trujillo.
CRIS BOURONCLE/Getty Images
Sections of the central railroad track that follows the Rimac River suffered severe damage by rising water and flash foods in the town of Chosica.
CRIS BOURONCLE/Getty Images
Local residents of the town of Huarmey, 300 kilometers north of Lima, wade through muddy water in the street.
Mariana Bazo/Reuters
A man walks next to a flooded home damaged after heavy rain in Castilla district of Piura.
