Sudden Storm Disrupts Southern Peru
A powerful sand and dust storm swept through southern Peru on Thursday, surprising residents and disrupting daily life. The storm, driven by strong winds from a South Pacific anticyclone, particularly affected the Ica region, about 400 kilometers south of Lima.
The sand and dust storm southern Peru experienced was triggered by wind gusts reaching 50 kilometers per hour. This unusual event halted traffic and paused tourism in Ica for nearly three hours. Local authorities confirmed the disruption and warned residents to remain cautious.
Widespread Effects Across Coastal Regions
The impact wasn’t limit to Ica. Neighboring regions including Arequipa, Moquegua, and Tacna, which borders Chile, also reported strong winds up to 32 kilometers per hour. Even Lima, the capital, felt the effects as strong gusts caused trees to fall in some areas.
Rosario Julca from Peru’s national weather service explained that the South Pacific anticyclone is responsible. This natural phenomenon involves high-pressure, clockwise wind circulation near the coast, pushing downdrafts and lifting dust from dry terrain into the air.
Weather Alerts Remain in Place
Julca further explained that the combination of wind and desert landscape triggered the sudden rise of sand and dust. The weather agency has warned that wind speeds will remain high from moderate to strong levels through Sunday along the Peruvian coast.
Local emergency teams are now assessing the full extent of the damage caused by the sand and dust storm southern Peru experienced.
