Cyclone Yaku is an unusual low-pressure system in the South Pacific that impacted Ecuador and northern Peru in early March 2023. It has been described by the Peruvian National Meteorological and Hydrological Service (SENAMHI) as an "unorganised tropical cyclone" not seen since 1983 or 1998.[3]
| Formed | 7 March 2023 |
|---|---|
| Dissipated | Currently active |
| Fatalities | 61[1][2] |
| Areas affected | Peru, Ecuador |
Meteorological history
On 7 March, SENAMHI reported an "unorganized tropical cyclone".[4] SENAMHI researchers were able to identify the formation of the cyclone at the end of February, and also stated that the unusual phenomenon would remain in the Peruvian sea but would not affect any cities on the Peruvian and Ecuadorian coasts. They also reported that moderate to heavy rainfall would develop on the northern coast and highlands of Peru from 9 to 11 March[5] and that the cyclone would not become a hurricane.[6] On 10 March, the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (INHAMI) in Ecuador reported that Yaku was moving away from Ecuador and would no longer have a direct impact on the country.[7]
Preparations
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The announcement of Yaku caused public concern in Peru.[8]
Impact
Peru
Cyclone Yaku increased extreme rainfall conditions in the departments of Tumbes, Piura, and Lambayeque. On 8 March, rainfall was reported in the departments of Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque, La Libertad, Ancash, and Lima. On 10 March, the La Leche river in Lambayeque overflowed its banks, affecting the district of Illimo. In the department of La Libertad, there was flooding in the provinces of Chepén and Pacasmayo after torrential rains.[9] SENAMHI reports indicated that the departments of Lambayeque and La Libertad exceeded the historical record of rainfall accumulation in 24 hours, reporting values not recorded since 1997–98 and 2017 El Niño events.[10] CEPRENED estimates that 592 districts along Peru are at risk of landslides or mudslides due to heavy rains. Also, Indeci reported more than 45,000 people affected and 1312 houses collapsed, with La Libertad being the most affected department.[11]
Ecuador
Heavy rainfall occurred across at least 37 cantons in Ecuador. Milagro, Yaguachi, and El Triunfo experienced flooding while the storm damaged residences in Quevedo and Los Ríos.[12]
See also
References
- ^ "Emergencia en el norte: huaicos, inundaciones y desbordes hoy 10 de marzo". Gestión (in Spanish). 10 March 2023.
- ^ "Ecuador: crecidas dejan tres muertos y miles de damnificados". The San Diego Union-Tribune (in Spanish). 8 March 2023.
- ^ "Ciclón Yaku: ¿Qué es, por qué se formó y hasta cuándo será su permanencia por la costa peruana? | PERU". El Comercio (in Spanish). 12 March 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- ^ "Ciclón Yaku se presenta frente al mar peruano". www.gob.pe (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-03-12.
- ^ Sourtech. "Yaku: ¿En qué regiones del Perú se está presentando este inusual ciclón? - Exitosa Noticias". www.exitosanoticias.pe (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-03-12.
- ^ "Ciclón Yaku no se convertirá en huracán: Expertos lo descartan, pero se mantienen alerta". infobae (in European Spanish). Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- ^ "Ciclón Yaku dejará de tener incidencia directa en las costas del Ecuador, según Inamhi". El Universo (in Spanish). 10 March 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- ^ "El ciclón "Yaku" provoca lluvias intensas en la costa norte de Perú". swissinfo.ch (in Spanish). Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- ^ "Lluvias en Perú | Ciclón Yaku | Lambayeque y La Libertad superaron récord histórico de lluvias desde El Niño de 1998 y El Niño costero del 2017 | Senamhi | PERU". Gestión (in Spanish). 10 March 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- ^ "Lambayeque en alerta: lluvias torrenciales, desbordes de ríos e inundaciones por el ciclón Yacu". infobae (in European Spanish). Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- ^ "Ciclón Yaku Nueve muertos por lluvias solo esta semana: mayores daños se reportan en Trujillo, Piura, Tumbes y Lambayeque | PERU". El Comercio (in Spanish). 12 March 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- ^ "Yaku moves away from Ecuador and rains persist until March 15". Dialoguemos (in Spanish). 11 March 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2023.