Peru Mudslides, Heavy Rains Kill At Least 36

Steady and heavy rainfall has ravaged parts of Peru as it has caused mudslides and severe flooding. The deadly mudslides have now caused at least 36 deaths throughout the country while also leaving buildings in ruins.

The mudslides have hurled mud, water, and rocks into several villages in southern Peru, resulting in the devastation of these villages. In a remote sector called Miski, 36 bodies have already been recovered, according to Canadian news outlet CTV News.

Five people were riding a van when they were pushed into a river by a surge of mud. All of them died in the incident.

An estimated 630 homes were rendered unusable by the mudslides, which may have damaged bridges, irrigation canals, and roads. Now, local officials are asking for heavy machinery to clear around three kilometers of important roads, as they have already been blocked by debris.

At Least 12 Dead in the Arequipa Region in Southern Peru

Some of the hardest-hit areas are five small gold-mining villages in southern Peru's Arequipa region. At least 12 have been killed in these areas as residents struggled to salvage their belongings after a huge mudslide.

One of these villages is the Mariano Nicolas Valcárcel municipality, which lies on the edges of a depleted mining extraction area in Camana province. Residents are desperately searching for things they can salvage from the mid.

Many of them, such as Mauro Noa, a Posco Miski village community leader, spoke with the Associated Press and said that they have been trying to reach local officials and receive food, as well as first aid. He says that over a thousand of his neighbors have been stuck on the side of a mountain since Sunday. He explained that they cannot leave the area as mud and rocks had already accumulated, leaving them trapped.

Noa lamented that nobody thinks about them as they are suffering from hunger and thirst. He also stated that 14 of his neighbors have been missing since the mudslides struck, adding that they were not able to leave their houses as they were "taken by the wave of mud."

The total number of dead in Peru is still difficult to know as there have been conflicting reports on the number of people who died. One report stated that at least 36 people are now dead, while another report stated there are only 12 dead, with three missing.

Relief Operations Underway in Southern Peru

The Arequipa Department is the worst-affected region in Pero, with the Mariano Nicolas Valcarcel District being the most affected. Now, however, the National Civil Defense Institute (INDECI) has already sent a relief mission to the affected areas, including Secocha, Infiernillo, Pampa Blanca, Urasqui, Venado de Oro, Pampaylima, Miski, Posko Miski, and San Martín.

According to Floodlist, many of the areas affected are at the foot of steep slopes close to the Ocoña River. Streams also broke their banks, and these have caused flooding and mudslides. There are currently 12,000 people who have been affected by these natural calamities.

READ MORE: Venezual Landslide Death Toll Reaches 43

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: 'A complete disaster': deadly landslide tears through village in Peru - Guardian News