Extreme waves wreak havoc in Ecuador and Peru
Powerful oceanic waves reaching heights of up to 4 meters have claimed two lives in Ecuador's Manta region and caused widespread disruption along the Pacific coast of South America. Ecuador's risk management secretary, Jorge Carillo, labeled it an "extreme event" and warned of potential additional waves.
Peru has responded by closing nearly all its ports, with naval Oceanographic Department head Enrique Varea predicting the intense wave activity will persist through early January before normalizing. The Peruvian navy attributes the phenomenon to wind patterns affecting surface waters off the US coast.
The impact has been particularly severe on fishing communities. In Peru, approximately 100 boats have been damaged, while 31 fishermen were rescued by the navy. Reports indicate around 180 more remain at sea, with thousands potentially stranded in the Canoas de Punta Sal area, according to local Mayor Javier Pazo.
The extreme conditions have forced the closure of beaches along Peru's central and northern coasts. Callao, home to Peru's largest port and adjacent to Lima, has suspended all tourist and fishing boat operations. Mayor Roberto Carrillo Zavala of La Cruz district emphasized the significant impact on local fishermen and expressed concerns about economic consequences.
Larry Linch, head of Civil Defense in Peru's Callao region, attributed the unusual wave activity to climate change. Local media footage shows submerged jetties and public squares, forcing residents to seek higher ground. One 70-year-old fisherman described the waves as unprecedented in his lifetime.
The phenomenon, which began on Christmas Day, is expected to continue until January 1, according to Peru's National Emergency Operations Center. The effects have extended to Chile's central coast, where authorities have also issued warnings in response to the massive waves in Vina del Mar.
