Severe pluvial and flash flooding has hit northwestern Peru. Triggered by sudden, intense downpours, the crisis escalated dramatically as regional rivers breached critical red-alert safety thresholds.
Over 700 people have been severely affected. In the Zarumilla district, the overflowing Zarumilla River completely inundated the Puerto Perú settlement in Aguas Verdes, swamping agricultural fields and flooding over 150 homes.
Floodwaters in several populated areas have mixed with overflowing sewage systems. Public health agencies warn of a looming spike in waterborne and vector-borne illnesses, specifically dengue, leptospirosis, and acute diarrheal diseases.
The Peruvian Army has deployed Rapid Disaster Response Companies (CIRD) to the hardest-hit zones to assist stranded residents, clear debris, and utilise high-capacity water pumps to drain submerged commercial and residential districts.
Weather tracking agency SENAMHI has issued urgent warnings for further localised, extremely heavy rainfall.
