Paracas winds damage roofs, trees, and billboards in Pisco, Peru

Pisco, in Peru's Ica region, experienced significant disruption on Sunday as powerful "Paracas" winds battered the area, bringing gusts of up to 42 kilometers per hour. The strong winds toppled roofs, felled trees, and damaged advertising panels across various sectors of the province. The weather phenomenon also generated dense dust clouds, severely reducing visibility on streets, in residential areas, and along highways. A notable incident occurred at the Miguel Grau educational institution in the La Alameda sector, where the metal roof of the main patio collapsed under the force of the wind. Fortunately, the school's sub-director, Evelyn Román, confirmed that no injuries were reported because students and teachers were on their mid-year vacation at the time of the collapse. Emergency services, including municipal staff and the National Police, worked to remove debris and clear blocked roads to restore traffic flow. Residents reported substantial dust accumulation in their homes and on avenues. In the Paracas district, the adverse weather conditions led to the temporary suspension of tourist excursions to the Ballestas Islands and other maritime activities due to poor visibility and safety concerns for vessels. Local emergency operations center (COEL) advised residents to avoid areas near trees, deteriorating walls, and potentially unstable billboards. Health authorities recommended that individuals with respiratory illnesses wear masks to minimize exposure to the airborne dust. The National Meteorology and Hydrology Service (Senamhi) forecasts that these "Paracas" winds will continue to affect the Ica coast through Wednesday, urging the public to avoid unnecessary travel and stay informed of official updates.

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the patio roof collapsed