Five populated centers in Amazonas on red alert due to flood risk
The intense rainfall that has been recorded for days in different regions of the country keeps the authorities on alert due to the increase in the flow of rivers. The National Meteorology and Hydrology Service of Peru (Senamhi) reported that the Utcubamba river in Amazonas increased its level, reaching the red threshold.
108 districts of the southern sierra at risk due to heavy rains and landslides
Senamhi warned that the heavy rainfall will be accompanied by electric shocks and gusts of wind with speeds close to 35 km/h. In addition, she alerted about the possible activation of streams in 15 regions.
According to the report of the meteorological entity, at 10:00 pm on Sunday, February 12, it registered a level of 5.12 m at the Naranjito station. This indicator warns of a probable overflow of the river and flooding in lower-lying populated and agricultural areas, as well as the erosion of banks and damage to infrastructure within the direct area or close to the river.
The populated centers on red alert for possible flooding are: Puerto Naranjito, Arenal, Salao, Puerto Misquiyacu and Bagua Grande.
Huaico in Arequipa was warned, but authorities did not carry out prevention work
The district of Mariano Nicolás Valcárcel has been declared an emergency as it was affected by the landslides. 16 people lost their lives, according to the official report, due to this natural event.
Along these lines, the National Civil Defense Institute (Indeci) urged local authorities to review contingency plans and the community early warning system. He pointed out that it should promote the organization of the population before this type of natural events, in addition to having the permanent monitoring of the river in order to provide a quick response.
If flooding occurs in populated centers, he recommended that residents stay away from power lines and high-voltage towers. Likewise, he stressed that rivers that have increased their flow should not be crossed.
Senamhi warns that rains will continue until Friday in the interior of the country and there are fears of possible overflow of rivers
Indeci warned that the soils of the regions in which heavy rains have been recorded are supersaturated and at any moment they can detach and landslides occur.
It should be noted that according to the Senamhi weather warning, light to moderate rains are expected in the northern and central jungle. For this Monday, February 13, it forecast rain accompanied by electric shocks and gusts of wind with speeds of over 40 km/h.
Rains in the jungle until Monday, February 13.
The alert for rainfall of moderate to heavy intensity reaches the regions of the mountains and the jungle, therefore the hydrological behavior of the rivers warns of the activation of streams.
In Huancavelica, the Ica river registered a flow of 100.21 m3/s at the Challaca station. The population centers that could be affected are Challaca, San José de Challaca, Tincocc, Ispairo, Savilayocc, Matial, Hualisga, Allanca and Caquiani Chico.
In Cajamarca, the Cañad river registered a flow of 21.3 m3/s at the Cañad station. The population centers that could be affected are El Tingo, La Munana and Datiles.
In Tacna, the Sama River registered a flow of 14.93 m3/s at the Puente Talapalca station. The population centers that could be affected are Londaniza, Chipispaya, Putina, Cotani, Coropuro and Sambalaya.
In Apurímac, the Pachachaca river registered a flow of 282.32 m3/s at the Santa Rosa de Chapimarca station. The population centers that could be affected are Santa Rosa, Naranniyocc, Sutcunga, Oroyapampa, Chocceñahue and Ruya Ruyac.
In Cusco, the Apurímac river registered a flow of 877.75 m3/s at the Punte Cunyac station. The population centers that could be affected are Cunyac and Cconoc.
The Senamhi recommended that the inhabitants of the sectors on alert to take the corresponding precautions and avoid carrying out any activity near the river.
The rain forecast also influences the activation of streams:
Red alert
Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cusco
Orange alert
Ancash, Apurímac, Junín and Puno
yellow alert
Huancavelica, Huánuco and Moquegua
Stream activation alert.