A state of emergency is declared in 18 districts of Lima and 4 of Callao, Peru, due to heavy rains

( Spanish) — The President of Peru, Dina Boluarte, declared this Monday a state of emergency for 60 days in 18 districts of Metropolitan Lima and four in Callao, due to the imminent danger of the heavy rains that are expected to fall indirectly in the capital of the country due to the passage of cyclone Yaku. A phenomenon has already caused floods and havoc in the north and east of the country.

“This measure will allow the authorities of the three levels, that is, the central, regional, local government, to immediately execute exceptional actions, as well as responses to possible risks,” the president said at a press conference from the Government palace.

Boluarte called on the population to activate prevention measures and contingency plans to protect families. “Let’s not put the lives of our families at risk. We must stay away from the riverbeds,” he added.

He also reported that a multipurpose ship will set sail in the coming days to transport machinery and humanitarian aid to various areas of the country that have been affected by rainfall.

Increase to 50 people killed by rains since January

Carlos Yáñez, head of the National Civil Defense Institute of Peru (Indeci), delivered on Monday an assessment of the damage caused by the rains since the beginning of the year.

The official indicated that from January 1 to Monday there are 7,223 victims and more than 45,000 affected people. In addition, at least 50 people have died, 48 more were injured and five are missing.

Regarding the report of houses, some 1,303 are destroyed, another 1,578 are uninhabitable and 20,264 were affected.

So far, between the regions of Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque and La Libertad, 128.82 tons of humanitarian aid goods have been delivered, including food and non-food.

And in terms of damage to infrastructure, some 48 health establishments have been destroyed, 60.9 kilometers of rural roads are affected and another 6 kilometers of rural roads have been destroyed. This includes damage to 160 affected bridges and the destruction of 97 bridges.