Israel issues Peru travel warning amid heavy rains, flooding

Foreign Ministry urges citizens to avoid country's north and capital Lima, as authorities struggle to cope with catastrophic deluge

A view of the damage caused by flash floods in Huachipa district, east of Lima, Peru on March 19, 2017. (AFP PHOTO / Ernesto BENAVIDES)

The Foreign Ministry on Tuesday issued a travel warning for Peru, urging Israelis not to travel to the South American country struggling to cope with severe flooding and landslides.

The advisory in particular warned Israelis to avoid the capital Lima, as well as the country’s northern regions.

Peruvian authorities are struggling to cope with the avalanches, mudslides and extensive flash flooding caused by torrential downpours in recent days.

Officials on Saturday said at least 75 people have been killed and over 250 injured by the mudslides and flooding, the worst experienced Peru in two decades.

The usually heavy rains follow a series of storms that have struck hard along Peru’s northern coast, with waters inundating hospitals and leaving some small villages isolated.

The storms are being caused by a warming of the surface waters in the Pacific Ocean and are expected to continue for another two weeks.

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