Peruvian capital city, Lima, is being battered by floods and landslides while heavy rains swell rivers in the country's northern coast and highland regions.
Rimac River flooded this afternoon. Its water has reached La Muralla Park and Chabuca Granda Boulevard, quite near the Government Palace.
Flooding has affected the park's green areas, recently reopened as a recreational space for Lima citizens.
The situation alarmed Rimac district inhabitants and pedestrians who walked through the bridges crossing the so-called Talking River, as it is commonly nicknamed.
The water also reached the parking lot under Chabuca Granda Boulevard, in downtown Lima, where dozens of cars were placed.
It should be noted National Emergency Operations Center (COEN) this morning reported a red alert level warning for the said river.
On the other hand, Huaycoloro River inundated several blocks on San Juan de Lurigancho district's Malecon Checa Ave.
Furthermore, Huaycoloro waters flooded Ramiro Priale Highway, also in San Juan de Lurigancho, frightening neighbors nearby.
In the area close to said highway, water brought a large mass of soil, detritus and rock with it, taking barrels and sand bags previously placed on river banks to protect the population.
Thousands of people risked their lives in their attempt to grab some of these barrels, which had been swept away by the river, thus ending up over the bridge due to the force of debris-filled water.
The Interior Ministry has deployed some 1,000 police members to attend flooding-related emergencies in the nation's capital. Minister Carlos Basombrio also urged citizens to stay away from high-risk areas.
Additionally, the Education Ministry has suspended classes in Lima Metropolitan Area's public and private schools until March 20.
(END) CVC/RRC/RRC/LIT/RMB/MVB
Published: 3/15/2017