PERU · ENVIRONMENT
Key Facts
- —What happened Peru declared a 60-day emergency over imminent water shortages.
- —Scope 707 districts in 17 departments, according to state news agency Andina.
- —The decree Supreme Decree 140-2026-PCM, signed Friday, published Sunday in El Peruano.
- —Why now Falling river flows, shrinking reservoirs and a developing El Niño.
- —US forecast NOAA sees a strong-to-very strong El Niño through early 2027.
- —Funding No extra Treasury money; agencies must use existing budgets.
Peru has put hundreds of Andean and Amazon districts on emergency footing before a rainy season that forecasters expect to fall short.
Peru’s government has declared a Peru water emergency in 707 districts across 17 departments. The 60-day measure, published on Sunday, 11 October, targets an “imminent danger” of water deficit in the 2026-2027 rainy season.
The decree links the risk to a developing El Niño. US forecasters at NOAA expect that Pacific warming to stay strong or very strong into early 2027.
Listed departments include Cusco, Puno and Arequipa, home to Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and a mine majority-owned by a US firm.
What the Decree Says
Supreme Decree 140-2026-PCM was signed in Lima on Friday, 9 October, and appeared in El Peruano, the official gazette, on Sunday. It was signed by President Keiko Fujimori, of the conservative Popular Force party, Prime Minister Luis Galarreta and seven ministers.
The emergency covers districts in Áncash, Apurímac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica, Huánuco, Junín and La Libertad. It also covers Loreto, Madre de Dios, Moquegua, Pasco, Puno, San Martín, Tacna and Ucayali.
The decree lists the districts in an annex rather than giving a total. The state news agency Andina and the broadcaster Panamericana both reported the figure of 707 districts.
Regional and local governments carry out the work, with technical coordination by the National Civil Defence Institute, known as INDECI. Eight ministries take part, including health, agriculture, housing, interior and defence.
Why Peru Acted Now
The decree cites a progressive fall in river flows and a sustained drop in water stored in reservoirs. It also cites “the development of El Niño” in the central equatorial Pacific.
Together, it says, these signals point to a high probability of water deficit in the coming rainy season. INDECI found the listed districts exposed to very high risk, with possible effects on people, farming and livestock.
INDECI based its finding on reports from SENAMHI, the national weather service, and the National Water Authority. It also used studies by CENEPRED, the disaster-risk estimation centre, and ENFEN, the official El Niño study commission.
The government classified the situation as a level 4 emergency under Peru’s disaster-risk law. The decree says regional governments’ capacity to respond “has been exceeded,” so national agencies must step in.
A Wider Area Than in August
In August, the government declared a similar 60-day emergency in 607 districts of 16 departments, El Peruano reported on 13 August. The new decree adds Áncash and raises the count by about 100 districts.
The new decree does not say whether it replaces the August measure. It adds no new money, as spending comes from existing agency budgets.
What It Means for You
For travellers, the decree covers districts in Cusco and Puno, the regions of Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca. It sets no curfew, travel ban or limit on movement.
For investors, several listed departments are mining regions, including Arequipa, Moquegua, Tacna and Apurímac. US-based Freeport-McMoRan owns 55.66% of Cerro Verde, a copper mine about 20 miles southwest of Arequipa city.
The decree does not mention mining, and it is unclear whether mine districts are on the list.
The El Niño behind the Peru water emergency is also on US forecasters’ radar. NOAA’s 8 October update says it “continues to strengthen,” with a strong-to-very strong event likely through January to March 2027.
What Is Not Known
The full district list could not be checked, as the published annex was incomplete online. The number of people living in the covered districts has not been released.
It is not known whether coastal export farms or mine sites fall inside the emergency area. The government has not said how much each region will spend.
What Comes Next
The 60-day emergency runs into December, while INDECI must report results to the prime minister’s office. The government can extend the measure if the rainy season stays dry.
The emergency does not mean taps are running dry today. It is a preventive step that lets authorities act quickly before shortages hit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Peru declare?
Peru declared a 60-day emergency in 707 districts of 17 departments over an imminent water deficit. The decree was published on Sunday, 11 October.
Why is Peru expecting a water shortage?
The decree cites falling river flows, shrinking reservoirs and a developing El Niño. Officials see a high probability of deficit in the 2026-2027 rainy season.
Does the emergency affect travel to Cusco or Machu Picchu?
The decree includes districts in Cusco department but sets no curfew, travel ban or limit on movement. It focuses on water-risk works by regional and local governments.
Is El Niño expected to be strong?
NOAA said on 8 October that El Niño continues to strengthen. It expects a strong-to-very strong event through January to March 2027.
Sources: El Peruano, Supreme Decree 140-2026-PCM; Andina; Panamericana; El Peruano, 13 August 2026; NOAA Climate Prediction Center; Freeport-McMoRan (all accessed 11 October 2026).
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief