Carretera Central Section Risks Collapse Due to El Niño, Local Mayors Warn

Local authorities in Lurigancho-Chosica and the Mancomunidad de la Zona Norte de Huarochirí have urgently requested government intervention to construct containment works along a critical section of the Carretera Central. They warn that this vital route is at risk of collapse due to erosion caused by the Rímac River, exacerbated by the anticipated effects of the El Niño phenomenon. A report highlights that at kilometer 29.5, near Yanacoto, the river is actively undermining the base of a 40-meter high slope situated just two to four meters from the roadway. Oswaldo Vargas, the mayor of Lurigancho-Chosica, stated that if the Rímac River's flow increases to approximately 120 cubic meters per second, a likely scenario during the rainy season, the risk of the Carretera Central collapsing becomes significant. Mayor Vargas also reported that his municipality has identified 32 critical points within Lurigancho-Chosica, including 21 ravines, with over a hundred vulnerable zones in total when considering both ravines and the river. Luis Ñahuis, mayor and president of the Mancomunidad de la Zona Norte de Huarochirí, echoed these concerns, pointing to bridges nearing collapse and ravines lacking preventative measures. Officials caution that a collapse on the Carretera Central would necessitate rerouting traffic to the Canta–Cerro de Pasco route, severely impacting the transport of both people and goods.