CATASTROPHEPERU
Peru: 6 dead after Cyclone Yaku, emergency declared
13 minutes ago13 minutes ago
Cyclone Yaku has caused torrential rain and flooding in the north of Peru. It comes as the country deals with months-long protests against the government of President Dina Boluarte.
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At least six people have died in northern Peru in recent days due to Cyclone Yaku, the National Institute of Civil Defense said on Friday.
The government has declared a state of emergency in the regions of Tumbes, Piura, Cajamarca, Lambayeque, La Libertad, Ancas, which have been hit by torrential rain and flooding.
On Saturday, several rivers overflowed in different parts of the country, damaging crops and homes. At least one bridge also collapsed in Casma, which the regional governor said was the main gateway to northern Peru.
Authorities said 58 people had died since the start of the rainy season, which included other disasters such as mudslides in February.
Workers rebuilding a road over a riverWorkers rebuilding a road over a river
Floods washed away a road in PiuraImage: Sebastian Castaneda/REUTERS
Aid for the northern regions
Authorities are working to deliver emergency aid to the worst-affected regions.
On Saturday, President Dina Boluarte visited Tumbes with other ministers to oversee the delivery of supplies.
She claimed the government did not have the resources to deal with the floods — including motorized pumps and other machinery — because the state had been “abandoned.”
A flooded highway after Cyclone YakuA flooded highway after Cyclone Yaku
Flooding caused traffic to stop on the Pan-American North Highway near LambayequeImage: Jao Yamunaque/AP Photo/picture alliance
Boluarte took office in December after Congress voted to impeach former President Pedro Castillo.
Since then, the country has been rocked by large anti-government protests in support of Castillo, particularly in the south of the country where highways and airports have been shut down several times.
Castillo is currently detained in Lima awaiting trial on charges including rebellion and conspiracy, which he denies.
zc/msh (Reuters, EFE)
