On Saturday, Peru raised the number of closed ports to 91, out of a total of 121, and restricted access to recreational beaches due to the strong waves that hit the northern and central coast of the country, authorities reported.
“It increases to 91 closed ports along the entire coast due to the continuity of #AnomalousWave until 01/01/2025,” indicated the National Emergency Operations Center (COEN) in its account on X.
Initially, Peru had announced the closure of 30 ports starting Friday and until next Wednesday.
In Callao, where the main port of Peru is located, neighboring Lima, “it has been decided to close access to the Abtao, Santa Rosa, La Arenilla, Cantolao beaches and all other recreational use beaches located on the coasts of the Callao,” the municipality indicated in a statement published in X.
The departure of tourist and fishing boats from any beach or port in Callao was also prohibited.
“This wave is generated thousands of kilometers away from Peru in front of the United States (…) generated by a persistent wind on the surface of the ocean that approaches our coasts,” Navy Captain Enrique Varea explained to the channel N.
The strong waves of up to four meters also hit coves and coastal landings in the regions of Tumbes and Piura, bordering Ecuador.
The phenomenon has caused damage to dozens of artisanal fishing boats and businesses near the sea, as well as the flight of riverside residents due to the flooding of boardwalks and squares, according to images broadcast on local media and social networks.
The Hydrography and Navigation Directorate of the Peruvian Navy warned about the presence of anomalous waves of intensities that vary between light and strong along the Peruvian coast.
According to the notice issued this Friday by the institution, this surge will last until January 1, gradually affecting different areas of the northern, central and southern coast of the country.
