HEAVY Amazonian rain have triggered floods in the Peru rainforest leaving 31 dead and 32 injured, reports children’s charity Plan International.
Nearly 80,000 villagers have been hit after the latest cloudburst saw almost five inches of rain fall in as many hours.
Roads have been washed away, crops swamped and homes wrecked as rivers overflow and flood villages.
“The increase in the volume of rivers and the lack of natural coverage caused by erosion leads to floods and landslides,”
Plan’s emergency response manager Samuel Gastanaga. “Damage is done to houses, agricultural areas and roads, isolating the population.”
The government has declared a state of emergency in the Arequipa and Cusco regions.
Schools and health clinics have been damaged also, along with other essential services in remote areas.
Aid workers for Plan are on stand- by in case the government requests help in reaching some of the survivors.
“If necessary, Plan has the capacity for a rapid and coordinated response with corresponding authorities in the affected areas,” says Mr Gastanaga.
• For more information visit www.plan-uk.org
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