Cyclone Yaku: how to prepare and act against the forecast rains in the metropolis of Lima

Since February of this year, there has been a marked increase in the frequency and rain intensity in Peru. Recently, the National Service of Meteorology and Hydrology of Peru (Senamhi) reported that there would be “light to moderate” rain in Metropolitan Lima between March 12 and 14 due to the indirect influence of Cyclone Yaku.

“Yaku, is called an “unorganized tropical cyclone”, because it does not consolidate with the usual shape of a tropical cyclone (closed spiral), nor does it reach other characteristics such as wind speed “, he explained. Cinthya Arteta, representative of the Rimac Monitoring Center.

Then the Rimac Monitoring Center provided the following recommendations to prevent heavy rains approaching the capital.

– Follow the news about the rain scenario in the media and official sources, as well as the probability of the presence of The child of the coast.

– Identify if you have stocks or equipment exposed to the rain and set up places for storage and protection.

– Install barriers to prevent water entry, especially at low levels such as basements.

– Evaluate the location of your facilities and their location in relation to rivers or streams. Also, recognize if your fixtures have a slope, as water entering it will accumulate.

– Clean the channels and drains of water and keep them free of debris, solid residues or the like.

– Repair and do preventive maintenance of roofs to avoid leaks or water stagnation. Install gutters to direct rainwater.

– Make sure that your insurance policy is valid in order to be protected against possible losses to your property.

– Protect and/or save any goods or equipment that may be damaged by rain or flood waters.

– Avoid crossing bridges where the river level is already above normal.

– Do not approach power lines or poles in poor condition.

– Do not approach swollen rivers or areas where a dry river is reactivating.

– Make sure the event is over and await instructions from the relevant authorities.

– Perform an interior inspection of your home, office or facility to verify the extent of the damage.

– Do not replace the electric fluid before verifying that the entire system is safe and stable.

– Remove accumulated or stagnant rainwater to prevent disease-causing vectors.

– Carry out maintenance work on protective structures: channel walls, canals, water drainage pipes, among others, where applicable.

– Keep up to date with official sources on the geological and climatic situation in your region.

The winds push the masses of humid air that form in the Amazon (Brazil) towards Peru, “although the mountain range is a natural barrier, they are of lower altitude in the northern zone so that they reach the coast producing rains in the region”. added Cinthya Arteta of the Rimac monitoring center.

Off the northern and central coast of Peru there is an “unusual cyclone with unorganized tropical characteristics” called Yours (water in Quechua). This clockwise low pressure system is associated with warming sea surface temperature and the second band of Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).

It is not a cyclone like it happens in the Caribbean, but a “technical aspect of the circulation”. specialists in senamhi identified its formation at the end of February. To date, its formation is visualized and the monitoring of this system and its route is maintained for a possible update of the weather forecasts and warnings issued.