10:06 | Arequipa (Arequipa region), Feb. 20.
The torrential rain that struck Peru's southern Arequipa province on Thursday left a devastating toll: two people dead and extensive material damage across 16 of the 29 districts in the jurisdiction, according to the
National Emergency Operations Center (COEN).
The COEN said the Disaster Risk Management offices of Arequipa's local governments are carrying out Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (EDAN).
The work follows emergencies reported on the afternoon of February 19, triggered by intense rainfall that activated ravines and caused flooding across the province.
In that regard, it said Arequipa's Regional Emergency Operations Center (COER) reported that the districts affected by this event are: Alto Selva Alegre, Cayma, Arequipa, Cerro Colorado, Chiguata, Jacobo Hunter, Jose Luis Bustamante y Rivero, Mariano Melgar, Miraflores, Paucarpata, Pocsi, Sabandia, Sachaca, Socabaya, Uchumayo, and Yanahuara.
The toll stands at two deaths and several injured people, along with damage to homes, transport routes, bridges, health facilities, crops, businesses, and basic services, including drinking water, sewage systems, and electricity.
The heavy rainfall has caused overflowing ravines, flooding, landslides, stranded vehicles, as well as damage to homes and educational institutions.
The COEN said that one death was reported in Cayma district as a result of intense rainfall; meanwhile, another person died after being struck by lightning in the El Cural area, within the Uchumayo jurisdiction.
In response, Peruvian National Police agents arrived in the affected areas to carry out the corresponding legal procedures.
For its part, the Arequipa Province Municipality detailed the main emergencies reported by local districts.
In Yanahuara —the area hardest hit by the natural event— multiple flood incidents were reported across different sectors. As a result, vehicles became stuck in mud and homes were affected.
The overflow of the Chullo ravine was reported as well, along with damage to the district's fire station.
In Jacobo Hunter, the ravine overflowed at the Bailey Bridge, on the boundary with the Tingo area, causing flooding in nearby streets.
Flooding was reported at both the interprovincial bus terminal and the land transport terminal.
In Sachaca, flooding was reported along the Uchumayo bypass at kilometer 4.
In Arequipa's central district, torrential rain caused flooding at Universidad Continental following the overflow of Los Incas ravine, as well as the overflow of El Chullo ravine in the Flora Tristan area.
In Mariano Melgar, authorities reported that four people were trapped in a ravine near the Sepulveda roundabout.
In Cerro Colorado, several vehicles were left stranded on main roads due to intense rainfall, and a mudslide was reported along Avenue 54.
In Chiguata, the flow of the Titirihuaya River—a tributary of the Huasamayo River—increased, cutting off the main access route to the district.
In Paucarpata, heavy hail was reported in higher-altitude areas.
In Socabaya, authorities reported hail across much of the district, particularly in the San Martin area.
In Miraflores, a ravine overflowed along Alameda Salaverry.
In Cayma, one death was reported in Zone C of the Milagros area after floodwaters from a ravine entered the area.
In Jose Luis Bustamante y Rivero, the overflow of a ravine along Los Incas Avenue left around 300 students stranded at Universidad Continental.
(END) MAO/MVB
Published: 2/20/2026