Capital of Peru is declared in “red alert” for rains due to cyclone Yaku

The city of Lima was declared on “red alert” on Tuesday due to heavy rains that will occur in the coming hours by the presence of cyclone Yaku, which is off the coast of the South American country and has affected much of the northwestern region of the nation.

As explained in a statement by the National Service of Meteorology and Hydrology (Senamhi), “due to the latest warm and humid weather conditions presented by ‘Yaku'” has been increased to Metropolitan Lima from orange level (strong) to red (extreme).

The institution detailed that from the night of March 14 until the early morning of March 15, heavy to extreme rains will be recorded in most of the capital region, mainly in the middle and lower basins. This scenario occurs due to the increase in tropical humidity.

Senamhi said that the activation of streams such as Huaycoloro, Chaclacayo, and Chosica had been recorded, which added to the rains will contribute to the flow of the Rimac River.

Meanwhile, the flow of the Huaura, Chancay, Huaral, Chillón, and Lurín rivers is expected to increase, with the “probability of exceeding the orange threshold and, in some cases, reaching the red threshold”.

The President of the country, Dina Boluarte, announced earlier that in the framework of the new alert decreed by Senamhi in the capital, the Government had established a series of measures to preserve the population’s welfare in the face of the rains.

In this sense, the entire civil defense platform of the district and Metropolitan Lima, surrounding the basins of the Rimac, Chillon, and Lurin rivers, has been declared on alert, as well as the Armed Forces and the National Police on the permanent sign to help people in the middle of the situation.

Likewise, school and university classes have been suspended for 24 hours, and remote work has been ordered for the public sector, while the private sector has been called upon to adopt the same measure for its workers.

The Ministry of Health (Minsa) and the regional health authorities will guarantee the continuity of the respective services nationwide.

In addition, the Superintendencia de Transporte Terrestre de Personas, Carga y Mercancías (Sutran), and the National Police will be present at Lima’s land terminals to recommend citizens postpone their trips.

Access will be restricted to Jorge Chávez International Airport facilities, while preventive measures will be taken on Metro Line 1 to avoid fires.

Meanwhile, the Lima Water and Sewage Service (Sedapal) will operate normally and, if necessary, will activate 100 percent of its reserve wells and cisterns.

According to official sources, the heavy rains generated by Cyclone Yaku have caused the closure of 26 ports on the Peruvian coast and have also left 23 transit points interrupted, 84 restricted, and 50 roads affected.

According to Rubén Pajares, coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Center (COEN), it has been forecast that in the north of the country, the departments of Tumbes and Piura will have “moderate to heavy” rains.

In the cases of La Libertad, Lambayeque, Ancash, Lima, and Ica, there will be “moderate to extreme intensity” rains.

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