More Rain and Flooding in Peru

The El Niño weather pattern has caused a warming of the water in the Pacific Ocean

on the coast of Peru. In July, 2015, the Peruvian government predicted that their country would be struck by flooding due to this weather pattern.

According to the Golf Times, "El Nino is triggered by a change in wind speed across the Pacific. The prevailing winds usually flow from east to west, which pushes the warm surface waters of the tropical Pacific Ocean towards Indonesia. This allows cool water to well up around the coast of South America. The cool water is rich in nutrients and fish, providing rich pickings for the Peruvian fishing industry. During an El Nino year, however, the winds, which blow along the surface of the tropical Pacific Ocean, ease. Why this happens is unclear, but it can have dramatic effects. The warm water sloshes back towards South America, which hides the nutrient-rich cold waters and ensures fish are in short supply."

There is a lack of fish in Paita, Peru, right now. This is due to warming waters; the cold water fish moved to cooler waters in the Pacific Ocean, far out of reach from the Paita fishing boats. Packing plants have closed and there has been a complete collapse of the Peruvian fishing industry in this area of Peru.

The rains and flooding in the state of Piura has been devastating to the people in this region. Please select one of the links below for more information about the flooding in Peru.

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2017/03/29/Four-drown-in-Peru-after-Piura-river-overflows-floods-town/7201490796677/


http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-39418314