Peru to deploy 77 Bailey bridges for El Niño emergency response

The Peruvian government is expanding its emergency response capacity to mitigate the impacts of the El Niño phenomenon. Marco Vinelli Ruiz, Minister of Agrarian Development and Irrigation, announced that the country will have 77 Bailey bridges available by December to quickly restore connectivity in areas affected by heavy rains and damaged road infrastructure. Currently, 22 bridges are in use, with 55 more scheduled for incorporation.

These temporary structures are intended to replace bridges damaged by rising river levels, ensuring the movement of people, food, and humanitarian aid. Additionally, the government plans to increase its helicopter fleet from 19 to 39 units through an investment of S/ 300 million to improve access to remote areas.

To address 536 critical points identified in the face of climate risks, approximately S/ 500 million has been allocated via an emergency decree for prevention and risk reduction. Planned actions include cleaning and desilting rivers and drains on the coast, as well as installing geomembranes near the Jorge Chávez International Airport bridge. The strategy also accounts for drought scenarios in the highlands and Amazon regions.