Southern Peru rocked by relentless sand and dust storm
Sand and Dust Storm Sweeps Southern Peru
Key Details
- Wind Gusts: Up to 50 km/h in the Ica region, 400 km south of Lima
- Affected Areas: Ica, Arequipa, Moquegua, Tacna (bordering Chile), and Lima
- Impact: Traffic stoppage on highways, three‑hour disruption of tourism, fallen trees in Lima
Cause of the Storm
The South Pacific anticyclone intensified and moved close to the continent, producing high‑speed downdrafts at the surface. The combination of these downdrafts with the desert terrain triggered a sudden and massive dust uprising.
Weather Forecast
Moderate to strong wind speeds are expected to persist along the Peruvian coast through Sunday.
Response Efforts
The National Emergency Operations Center is coordinating local authorities to assess damage caused by the storm.
