on Friday announced that the phenomenon behind the recent sandstorms along Peru's central and southern coast has "dissipated," but warned that strong seasonal winds will persist through August 3.
"That phenomenon that affected the Peruvian coast no longer exists," the official stated during a presentation held before President Dina Boluarte by ministers and heads of the sectors linked to the emergency.
Lozada explained that the phenomenon was the result of a convergence between the "aguada" or low-pressure system and a high-pressure front coming from the south.
Both systems "joined forces and created this whirlwind that affected the regions of Ica, Arequipa, Moquegua, and Tacna, and to a lesser extent, Lima."
The official specified that the event, which began on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. (local time), lasted two hours.
"Then the phenomenon dissipated," Lozada emphasized.
Strong winds
This "is not related to the previous phenomenon, which was anomalous," he noted.
In that regard, Lozada stated that these winds "will not affect the population," as their occurrence "is natural at this time of year."
He provided
these explanations at the headquarters of the National Emergency Operations Center (COEN) in Lima, where the Head of State arrived to be briefed on the actions taken in response to the aforementioned phenomenon.