The coastal El Niño and huaicos in Peru

The term El Niño was born in Peru, and the country suffers its own version: the coastal El Niño (El Niño costero), a warming of the sea off the coast that triggers extreme rain.

Rain and flooding

During a coastal El Niño, normally dry regions such as Piura, Lambayeque and La Libertad receive torrential rain that causes rivers to overflow and floods, as happened in 2017 and 2023.

Huaicos

Intense rain on the hillsides generates huaicos: flows of mud and rock that rush down the ravines and destroy roads and homes. Avoid ravines during the rains and follow the alerts from Senamhi and Indeci.