The government has issued a supreme decree declaring a state of emergency in the provinces of Bellavista, Tocache, Rioja, Moyobamba and others, all in San Martín, due to serious flooding caused by the heavy rains of this El Niño summer.
This move comes while tensions are still high among coca growers protesting against the state program to eradicate illegal crops linked to the drug trade, and as community leaders call on the government for more help in dealing with the extreme weather phenomena that are causing serious damage to property in the zone.
Filed under: Around Peru, Disasters, Politics
