The Peruvian Navy warned this Sunday that the anomalous waves affecting the Peruvian coast could extend beyond January 1, as initially planned. This phenomenon has forced the closure of 101 ports and caused damage to ships, resorts and economic activities in the coastal areas of the country.
The head of the Department of Oceanography of the Directorate of Hydrography and Navigation, Enrique Varea, explained to Canal N that, although the intensity of the waves will begin to decrease from this Monday, it could persist with less force during the next few days due to disturbances in the hemisphere. north, where the phenomenon comes from.
“The peak day was last Friday. Starting this Monday it will become moderate, then light, but it will not disappear completely. According to the disturbances we observed, it is very likely that the waves will continue beyond January 1,” said Varea.
The waves especially affect the northern and central coasts of the country, which has led to the restriction of fishing and recreational activities. In addition, the Navy monitors vessels that remain on the high seas through flights to verify their status and provide help in case of emergency.
Impact on the population and government actions
The Minister of Defense, Walter Astudillo, visited the northern region of Tumbes to supervise the response actions to the impact of the waves. During his tour, he highlighted that 31 crew members of smaller boats have been rescued and they were provided with medical assistance and food. However, some fishermen decided to stay on the high seas for fear of losing their boats.
In Lima, the waves caused flooding in the main square of the port of Callao and the closure of access to the beaches. In the Ica region, the phenomenon reached medium intensity in the Paracas Bay, affecting tourism and fishing.
The Navy and the National Institute of Civil Defense (Indeci) continue to evaluate the damage to commercial, tourist and fishing infrastructure in the north of the country. Astudillo assured that, once the evaluation is completed, the Government will give a forceful response to assist those affected.
The Navy reiterated that it is high risk to be at sea during this phenomenon. In addition, he called on the population to avoid entering the coast and follow the instructions of the authorities to prevent accidents.
