News
29 January 2010
Landslides: Urubamba Province, Cusco Region, Peru (including Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail)
Since 23 January 2010, following heavy rainfall and flash flooding, major landslides and mudslides have occurred in all provinces and departments of Cusco Region, including Urubamba Province [1, 2]. A state of emergency has been declared. Train services from Cusco and Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu Pueblo (formerly Aguas Calientes), the principle access point to Machu Picchu, have been suspended due to track damage [3]. Road access to the area has been severely disrupted and parts of the Inca trail have been destroyed [4].
A major rescue operation of Peruvian nationals and tourists visiting the areas is being undertaken by the Peruvian authorities and others [3, 4, 5]. Hundreds of tourists of all nationalities are being airlifted by helicopter from Machu Picchu Pueblo to the towns of Ollantaytambo and Cusco. Many more tourists remain stranded at Machu Picchu Pueblo. One tourist from Argentina and two tour guides have been confirmed as killed on the Inca trail as a result of a landslide [4].
Advice for travellers
Travellers should contact their tour operator or airline prior to travel; travellers intending to use the train service in the region during the next few days should contact Perurail for further information. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) should be consulted prior to travel for information on travel advisories and for contact information for those already in the affected areas of Peru.
Public services and health care may be disrupted in affected areas, and there is likely to be an increased risk from food and waterborne disease, as well as the risk of accidents and injuries.
Country-specific health advice for travellers to Peru can be found on NaTHNaC Country Information Pages. General advice can also be found in the NaTHNaC Advice for relief workers and other travellers to areas affected by natural disasters.
References
1. Instituto Nacional de Defensa Civil. Informe de Emergencia No. 054. 26 January 2010. Fenómenos Hiarometeorológicos Afectan al Departmento de Cusco. [Accessed 29 January 2010]. Available at http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/VDUX-824T3A/$File/informe_completo.pdf
2. Government of Peru. Perú: Declaran en emergencia diversas provincias del Cusco y el departamento de Apurimac. [Accessed 28 January 2010]. [In Spanish]. Available at http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/MINE-823RNM?OpenDocument&rc=2&cc=per
3. Peru Rail. Press Release. Situation and evacuation of passengers in Machu Picchu town. 27 January 2010. [Accessed 29 January2010]. Available at http://www.perurail.com/web/tper/news.html
4. El Peruano. Exhortación. Jefe del gabinete ministerial pide serenidad a las autoridades cusqueñas. 27 January 2010. [In Spanish]. [Accessed 28 January 2010]. Available at http://www.elperuano.com.pe/edc/2010/01/27/esp1.asp
5. Ministeriod de Comercio Exterior y Tourismo. Prensa y Actividades. No. 014-2010. 25 January 2010. [In Spanish]. [Accessed 29 January 2010]. Available at http://www.mincetur.gob.pe/newweb/Default.aspx?tabid=147 [in Spanish].
Links
British Honorary Consulate, Peru
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Landslides and Mudslides
Disclaimer | Copyright | Privacy | Sitemap | Accessibility