The intense rains that have been falling in Peru since December have left at least 56 people dead and more than 4,000 affected , according to the National Institute of Civil Defense (Indeci). Most of the deaths have been caused by landslides, floods, thunderstorms, and overflowing rivers, phenomena that have primarily impacted the Andean and Amazonian regions of the country.
The head of Indeci, General Luis Arroyo, specified that the number of people affected has risen to 4,094 , while 1,584 homes were rendered uninhabitable as a result of the rainfall. He also indicated that fourteen people died after being struck by lightning during the storms, a figure that reflects the intensity of the weather events recorded in recent weeks.
The rainy season in Peru typically runs from December to April, a period that in 2025 had already resulted in 96 deaths and left more than 127,000 people affected, according to Civil Defense reports. Current rainfall is concentrated in the central and southern highlands, areas particularly vulnerable to landslides and mudslides during periods of persistent rain.
More than 1,100 districts under threat
Authorities warned that more than 1,100 districts along the coast, in the highlands, and in the jungle could be affected by new landslides, mudslides, and other events associated with soil saturation. The risk assessment was prepared by the National Center for Disaster Risk Estimation, Prevention, and Reduction following current weather warnings.
Of that total, 968 districts in the highlands and northern coast are within the area of potential impact from moderate rainfall forecast for the coming days, according to the National Meteorology and Hydrology Service. This projection has led to the reinforcement of monitoring and prevention systems in various jurisdictions across the country.
Among the areas with very high risk, the department of Ayacucho stands out with 86 districts, followed by Cajamarca with 81, Huancavelica with 68 and Áncash with 62. Apurímac, Huánuco and Cusco also appear, along with other regions that present geographical conditions prone to landslides during episodes of continuous rain.
Regions on alert and under constant monitoring
The official report adds that another 419 jurisdictions are at high risk, while 137 districts in the Amazon rainforest could face landslides and mudslides in the event of moderate to heavy rainfall. This situation has led authorities to maintain constant vigilance over the most vulnerable areas.
The rains, affecting both rural and urban areas, have caused significant material damage and are straining the response capacity of local emergency systems. Meteorological monitoring remains crucial for anticipating future events in a country where the mountainous terrain amplifies the effects of heavy rainfall.
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