Winds over 40 km/h caused trees, poles, and roofs to fall in northern Peru

Strong winds, with speeds exceeding 40 km/h, battered several areas in northern Peru, including Trujillo and Chiclayo, causing significant damage to homes, trees, power poles, and exposed structures. The adverse weather conditions persisted for several hours between Tuesday, August 18, and Wednesday, August 19.

In the La Libertad region, an initial educational institution, the n.° 1663 Pequeños Ecológicos, located in the Víctor Larco Herrera district, sustained damage to the roof of its bathroom area. A structure designed to hold an elevated water tank collapsed, posing a risk to the young students attending the school. The district of Víctor Larco also reported detached roofs in the Buenos Aires sector, while Huanchaco experienced even more intense gusts. Other affected localities included El Porvenir, La Esperanza, Salaverry, and Moche.

Chiclayo also registered wind speeds surpassing 40 km/h, raising concerns among residents. In the Santa Victoria urban area, a tree was damaged, and there was a risk of roofing materials, signs, and other elements on exposed surfaces being dislodged. The Peruvian National Meteorological and Hydrological Service (Senamhi) had warned that wind speeds could exceed 45 km/h in some coastal areas.

In response to the situation, authorities recommended securing roofs and lightweight structures, removing objects that could be displaced by the wind, and avoiding areas near trees, poles, or signs that posed a falling hazard. Residents were also advised to monitor meteorological reports during periods of high wind intensity. Senamhi forecasts winds of up to 34 km/h along the northern and central Peruvian coast for Thursday, August 20, with speeds exceeding 20 km/h on the southern coast and reaching approximately 34 km/h in Ica.