Lurigancho-Chosica Residents Build Makeshift Bridges Amid Flood Fears

Residents in the California area of Lurigancho-Chosica, Peru, are constructing rudimentary bridges to cross ravines as they anticipate heavy rains associated with the El Niño phenomenon. Over five thousand inhabitants are demanding that authorities clear out debris from the ravines to prevent potential flooding. They also urge the construction of proper bridges to facilitate safe passage across these waterways. A local council member, Carlos Vargas, stated that more than 32 ravines remain uncleared. He described the existing makeshift bridges as lacking safety features like railings and adequate walking space, with one being built by a resident simply to provide access to the other side. Vargas mentioned a project to channel the Rímac River along a 63-kilometer stretch, which includes 23 ravines, but only four have been completed. He emphasized the need for funding and completed project documentation for the remaining 19 ravines to ensure public safety. Despite the precarious state of these handmade bridges, constructed from old wooden planks and metal, residents continue to use them. A community leader highlighted the urgent need for a safe bridge, especially for schoolchildren attending nearby educational facilities, and called for immediate stone embankment work, noting that sandbags are insufficient. She also implored local and national authorities, including the President of Peru, to address the urgent need for preventative measures and ravine clearing.