Farmers in the Southern Andes carry dead alpacas that were killed by an anomalous cold wave in July 2016, with temperatures as low as -23°C. Photo: El Búho

[Translation by Bing Translator.] 4 August 2016 (El Búho) – The situation is worrying in high altitude areas, due to enduring low temperatures. There are 300,000 hectares of natural pastures that have been damaged, which were intended to feed Alpaca livestock in these areas, and 18,735 head of cattle have died as a result of frost. Mirko Avendaño, regional manager of agriculture, reported that the areas most affected by these frosts have been the provinces of Arequipa, Castilla, Caylloma; the total hectares of natural pastures, which have been affected are 30 percent, so that since last month has been a campaign to send bales of hay to the hardest hit areas in the region, with the aim that of feeding the cattle, along with kits that are revitalizing, antibiotics and vitamins for livestock, and prevent increase in mortality. The phenomenon of La Niña, along with the continuation of the winter season, will cause these figures to increase even more in the following weeks, since both factors skirmishes low temperatures, according to the reports issued by the Senamhi, said Mirko Avendaño. For this reason a declaration of emergency for 35 districts more in the region has been requested, and is coordinating with the communes and the local and regional offices of Civil Defense.

Más de 18 mil cabezas de ganado han muerto por bajas temperaturas en la región Arequipa A farmer in the Southern Andes carries a dead alpaca that was killed by an anomalous cold wave in July 2016, with temperatures as low as -23°C. Photo: Correo

14 July 2016 (Correo) – Cold that kills. Some 44,426 alpacas, 3902 llamas, 4370 sheep, and 4183 cattle have died because of cold temperatures, according to the Regional direction of Agriculture of Puno. By its part, in Arequipa, around 5000 alpacas have died and more than 300 thousand hectares of pastures natural is have lost since is started this icy period in mayo of this year, said Mirko Avendaño, Manager regional of agriculture. It was also learned that respiratory diseases continue to affect citizens. Already there are 75 cases of infected with the viruses of influenza H1N1 in the White City, revealed to email the Manager of health, Ewin Bengoa. Up to the date are nine them people that have died because of this wrong. After the Declaration of emergency in regions Apurimac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica, Junín, Puno, Moquegua, Pasco, Tacna, Loreto, San Martín, Ucayali and Madre de Dios, decreed on June 8 because of the cold, new help was handed out in some areas of the Peru. In Puno, where the situation is most critical, because the temperature fall to -23°C in areas more than 4000 metres above sea level, records of five districts not were presented so that they can be assisted with humanitarian aid delivered by the National Institute of Civil Defense (Indeci). “Hopefully that delivered their records before finished the Declaration of emergency”, said the Deputy Manager of Defense national and Civil of the Government Regional of Puno, German Quispe. Districts that are missing are Cojata Ayaviri, Ñuñoa, and Yunguyo. [more]

61 mil animales también perecen por las heladas A farmer in the Southern Andes stand with his alpacas and llamas during the anomalous cold wave in July 2016. Photo: El Comercio / Strange Sounds

1 July 2016 (Strange Sounds) – An anomalous cold wave is currently sweeping through the Peruvian Andes. And these extreme conditions have already killed 48 children in remote areas. Southern Peru is currently suffering under an deadly cold wave. According to INDECI, the health of more than 250,000 people in 12 different regions have been affected, mainly near Puno and Cusco. The cold wave killed at least 48 children under five. Moreover, 7,569 cases of pneumonia and 627,943 of acute respiratory infections have been reported in the same period. 13 regions in the central and southern highlands have been placed under Orange Alert, today, as snow has been forecast for the next days. The cold wave has also badly impacted agriculture: More than 10,000 hectares of crops have been lost. Moreover, 33,000 head of cattle have died. [more]

48 children killed by anomalous cold wave in Peruvian Andes Temperature map of the Peruvian Andes, 2 September 2016, showing anomalously cold weather that persisted through much of the winter. Graphic: INDECI

29 June 2016 (El Comercio) – In the South of the country, mainly in them locations located above them 4 thousand metres of height, still suffering due to the low temperatures. According to the last assessment of damage from the National Institute of Civil Defense (Indeci), the health of 257.251 people in 12 regions has been affected. The 51% of the handicapped is concentrated in Puno and the 21% in Cusco. The report of the Indeci also points out that at least 48 children under five years old died of causes related to cold between mid-April and on 20 June. 7569 cases of pneumonia and 627,943 cases of acute respiratory infections in the same period have also been. It should be noted that much of pneumonia and respiratory infections has also been given in coastal regions and the jungle, such as Lima and Loreto. To counteract these damages, the Ministry of health has sent until now 80 modules of attention fast to 14 regions affected by icy and frost. The aim is to modules to strengthen health care. In addition, distributed more than one million vaccines against influenza and pneumonia. […] With regard to the damage to the sector agricultural, the report of Defense Civil says that until the 27 of June the cold had affected 10,533 hectares of crops and others 118 hectares is had lost. In addition, 33.239 heads of cattle have died. Puno and Huancavelica are the regions worst hit by both situations. Marco Vinelli, director of program development productive agrarian Rural of the Ministry of agriculture and irrigation, explained yesterday to El Comercio that they have made a plan to help 278 districts in 14 regions. With an investment of S / 36 million, is have purchased 36 thousand veterinary kits that would allow protect to almost all the cattle in the areas affected by the frost. They have also installed 79 jobs to deliver 4,800 tons of dry food for animals. [more]

Más de 257 mil afectados por intenso frío en la sierra A poster that reads 'Abrígate Perú' informs people on how to stay warm during the anomalous cold wave in September 2016. Graphic: INDECI

2 September 2016 (INDECI) – During this period, Frost weather (temperatures less than or equal to 0° C) are logged in most of the areas high Andean and Altiplano which are above the 3,500 meters above sea level. This situation comes affecting significantly the life and health of persons, as well as its housing assets entered in livestock and agriculture. For the period mayo-July of 2016, there is greater probability that minimum temperatures will be below normal in the areas high Andean and altiplanic, especially in the south and central regions. The possible occurrence of cold in the central and southern jungle, is forecast while minimum temperatures below normal are expected in the Northern jungle. [more]