Peru's MTC Steps Up El Niño Prevention Measures in Áncash and Ships Modular Bridges to Piura
Cubierto por 3 fuentesPublicado
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Peru's Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) is carrying out prevention and response measures in the Áncash region ahead of the potential effects of the 2026-2027 El Niño phenomenon. Deputy Minister of Communications Dalia Suárez Salazar explained that efforts are underway to identify vulnerable points and ensure the availability of machinery and strategic resources to respond to emergencies, in coordination with regional and local governments.
Preventive works and affected bridges
Since August, work has been carried out at priority sites, including clearing the Casma River channel and the Lacramarca Bridge, along with efforts to secure Bailey-type modular bridges. The MTC is seeking the allocation of S/ 37.56 million for these interventions and is preparing an emergency declaration for the concession's bridges, expected in October. During 2026, four bridges were affected by heavy rains: three remain under restricted use, including the Andaymayo Bridge in Sihuas, while one was restored to service in July. Provías Nacional currently maintains 30 pieces of machinery and six pickup trucks in the region, with additional units available as needed.
Emergency communications
The MTC is also strengthening communication systems in Áncash through the Special Satellite Communications Network for Emergencies (REDSAT), which links the Regional Government, the Regional Emergency Operations Center and INDECI's decentralized directorate. In addition, 35 nodes of the Fiber Optic Backbone Network have contingency plans managed by Pronatel, including power backup systems and generator testing, along with radio spectrum monitoring from Huaraz and Chimbote.
Maritime corridor to Piura
As part of its measures ahead of the El Niño phenomenon, the MTC began the maritime transport of 20 modular bridges, loaded into 15 containers, from Callao to the Port of Paita, via the Callao–Paita Maritime Humanitarian Corridor. Loading took place at DP World's facilities in Callao, with the participation of Deputy Minister of Transport Gabriela Carrasco Carrasco and support from shipping line Hapag-Lloyd. Reception in Paita was handled by Provías Nacional and attended by Minister of Transport and Communications José Angello Tangherlini Casal, Minister of Agrarian Development and Irrigation Marco Vinelli Ruiz, and Minister of Defense Rafael Belaunde Llosa.
Logistical benefits and upcoming uses
According to the MTC, transporting the bridges by road would have required eight trips per structure, totaling 160 trips, whereas maritime transport allowed them to be loaded in a single sailing, cutting transit times significantly. Private operators covered the costs of storage, terminal use and sea freight, meaning the operation generated no cost to the State. This first shipment through the humanitarian corridor aims to establish a logistics alternative that could also be used to transport food, medicine and other essential goods in the event of a disruption to overland routes in northern Peru.
