William Alvarado, mayor of the district of Mariano Nicolás Valcárcel, province of camanáreported that more than a thousand homes have been affected due to the mudslides that have caused serious human and material losses.
The landslide affected five population centers located in the district. The torrent of mud and water swept away everything in its path after 3:00 p.m. on Sunday.
The burgomaster told RPP Noticias that there is a lot of concern in the population because the landslides continue in the area because entire families lost everything.
“We are all in panic and with that fear that it will continue and continue to bring us more catastrophe. All the houses that are on the edge of the ravines were razed“, expressed the burgomaster about the situation in his district.
Alvarado said that so far there are reports of 20 missing persons, but that there is constant communication with the regional authorities of Arequipa to coordinate relief efforts.
“We are in constant communication with the regional governor of Arequipa and also with the counselor Norma Ortega, also with the provincial mayor,” he added.
He Regional Emergency Operations Center (COER) de Arequipa coordinates actions to address the emergency in the Secocha, Venado de Oro, San Martín and other population centers.
Population asks for help
The inhabitants of the town center of Secocha contacted the RPP Rotaphone to ask the Central Government for support after two days of mudslides that devastate everything in their path.
Mrs. Rosa Alarico, a resident of the place, pointed out that the mudslides began on February 5 and continued the following day. “We have all gone out to the slopes of the hills to protect ourselves. Yesterday, we spent all day and all night. Many of us have slept on the roofs of houses”, said the citizen to the Conexión program.
The Secocha neighbor said that the entire town center has been affected. Some people tried to return to their homes to retrieve their belongings, but were unable to do so. “Today they began to go down to recover something, but the mudslide came again with more force and took what little was left,” reported Mrs. Rosa.
As he explained, in the afternoon, an Army helicopter approached the area to deliver humanitarian aid. However, a huaico approached the place where he was and could not deliver support.