Peru: 6 people had lost their lives, while dozens were injured due to Cyclone Yaku

A powerful cyclone, named Yaku, hit Peru over the last days bringing flash floods and destruction while at least 6 people had lost their lives and dozens were injured in Piura and Lambayeque Departments. Intense rain across the northern parts of the country caused destruction to hundreds of houses, while a landslide in Huancabamba (Piura Department) has blocked the main road, leaving 70.000 inhabitants isolated.

On Friday 10 March, 5 people were reported missing due to flooding in the La Leche River which is caused by torrential rain. In many provinces of the northern Peru a state of emergency has been declared in the provinces of Ancash, Cajamarca, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Lima, Piura, Arequipa and Tumbes due to the severe weather.

Cyclone Yaku is different from the tropical cyclones and is associated with the El Nino climate phenomenon, which causes an increase in the temperature of the Pacific waters off South America and the second band of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).

Yaku is still affecting Peru with rain, but from tomorrow will head southwestwards towards the Pacific Ocean where water temperatures are colder.

Authorities said that 58 people had lost their lives since the start of the rainy season, which was about a month ago, including the casualties of February’s severe flood and landslides.

© 3B Meteo