The Peruvian government has declared a state of emergency in over 700 districts across the country after experiencing heavy rains, landslides, and severe flooding. Authorities stated this is linked to the coastal El Niño phenomenon caused by rising sea temperatures.
On 25 Feb 2026 GMT+7, the Peruvian government declared a state of emergency in more than 700 districts nationwide following heavy rains, landslides, and severe flooding. Officials attributed this to the coastal El Niño (El Niño Costero) phenomenon caused by increased sea temperatures. The emergency zones include the Pacific coast, the Andes mountains, and the Amazon basin, covering nearly half of the country's administrative districts.
This order was signed by Interim President José María Balcázar and published in the official gazette. Its goal is to expedite budget allocation to local and regional authorities to repair critical infrastructure such as bridges, roads, water systems, and electricity, while also protecting citizens' lives and health.
Peru's Ministry of Transport reported that about 931 kilometers of roads nationwide have been damaged, especially in four heavily affected regions. These routes serve more than 500,000 people weekly.
Meanwhile, the death toll from rain-related disasters since December has risen to at least 68. The latest fatalities include a father and son who went missing in a landslide in the Arequipa region, and a police officer in Lima who drowned in the Rimac River while trying to rescue a dog caught in strong currents.
. AP