El Niño floods force closure of Inca Trail, disrupt travel to Machu Picchu
Heavy El Niño rains in Peru caused flooding that shut the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and inundated homes in Lima.
Intense precipitation associated with the El Niño phenomenon struck Peru on Wednesday, prompting widespread flooding that forced officials to close the Inca Trail, the primary tourist corridor to the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu, at least until Saturday. The rain also overwhelmed drainage systems in Lima, flooding numerous homes, collapsing water and sewage infrastructure, and causing school suspensions in three southern districts.
Residents such as Flor Gonzales said their furniture, refrigerator, stove and other appliances were ruined by the floodwaters. Landslides in the southern regions of Arequipa and Moquegua shut additional roads, although Southern Copper confirmed that its mining activities in the south remained uninterrupted. The weather event is also impacting Peru's fishing and agricultural sectors, underscoring broader economic repercussions.
Why it matters
The floods halt access to a major tourist destination and cause significant damage to homes and infrastructure in Peru's capital.
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