Peru declares emergency in 796 districts ahead of El Niño rains

Peru’s government has issued a 60‑day state of emergency for 796 districts across 22 departments and the Constitutional Province of Callao as intense rainfall linked to the 2026‑2027 El Niño phenomenon approaches. The decree, signed on July 1 and published on July 2, activates disaster‑risk reduction measures and authorises emergency actions by ministries of Health, Education, Agriculture, Housing, Defense, Interior, Transport, Energy, Women and Vulnerable Populations, among others, under the coordination of the National Institute of Civil Defense (INDECI).

The National Center for Disaster Risk Estimation, Prevention and Reduction (CENEPRED) warns that more than 9.3 million Peruvians face a very high risk of floods and landslides. NOAA estimates a 63 % chance of a very strong El Niño episode between November and January, comparable to some of the most severe events recorded since 1950. The emergency also includes a separate 60‑day extension in the Ayacucho, Cusco and Junín districts to sustain operations against drug trafficking and organized crime.

The emergency response will be funded from existing government budgets without additional public‑treasury spending. Authorities have classified the situation as a Level 4 emergency, indicating that regional response capacities have been exceeded and national support is required.