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RAINS, MUDSLIDES DELUGE CUSCO AND MACHU PICCHU REGION.
-------------------------------------------- The tourists have been evacuated. However, the situation is critical in Peru regarding the rains and floods. We will continue to post relevant stories. LANEWSUPDATE.COM - NEWS COVERAGE AROUND THE CLOCK FOR LATIN AMERICA PERU - Peru: New Floods in Cusco Region PERU - Friends die in Peru rafting tragedy - FROM AUSTRALIA PERU - Two minor earthquakes struck Peru's coast and jungle PERU - Peru: 4.2-magnitude quake shakes Ica PERU - Seven killed in plane crash at Peru tourist site PERU, COSTA RICA - Entrepreneurs, authorities to discuss successful tourism model of Costa Rica PERU - Nasca Lines remain intact after plane crash PERU - Tourist access to Machu Picchu by train to be ready before April 1 PERU - Peru to invest US$ 1.3 million to promote Cusco in Latin America PERU - Bus collision in Peru kills 23 PERU - Colca Valley's tourist arrivals rise 50% so far this month PERU - Peru's flood-hit tourism: Ruined | The Economist PERU - Machu Picchu to reopen on April 1 PERU - Peru Losing Tourists PERU - Peru launches tourism promotion campaign in Junin PERU - Lan Peru to invest S/. 12 million in promotional campaign to boost tourism in Cusco PERU - US Airways exploring future possibilities to fly to Peru PERU - Peru says Machu Picchu site to reopen in April PERU - Peru: airport tax to be included in airline ticket prices within 45 days PERU - Costa Verde highway expansion to be inaugurated in 3 weeks PERU - New waterfall promoted as tourist attraction in Ucayali PERU - Peru's Inca Trail closed thru March PERU - Peruvians fly to Cusco for only $49 PERU - IKN: Peru, flooding and tourism PERU - Traffic accident kills 17 people in Peru | Tantao News Network PERU - Report on the Flooding in Peru by Apumayo | Adventure Travel News PERU - Peru tries to bring tourists to Cuzco PERU - Peru's flood-hit tourism PERU - Trujillo’s archeological, anthropological museum improved and expanded PERU - Mincetur allocates US$ 21.1 million to promote foreign tourists arrival to Cusco PERU - Tourism service prices to fall 50% for domestic visitors PERU - Ucayali authorities put tourist security plan into effect PERU - Travelex Insurance says Peru rains and mudslides may not be covered PERU - Peru's Institute of Culture suspends all visits to Machu Picchu citadel PERU - INC rejects proposal allowing tourists to visit Machu Picchu via helicopter PERU - Tourists visit archaeological ruins in Trujillo despite heavy rains PERU - Peru to launch "Cusco at half price" campaign to promote domestic tourism PERU - Floods damage Tingo Maria airport PERU - Tourist arrivals in Colca Valley grew by 22.5% in January PERU - Escape from Machu Picchu EXCELLENT ACCOUNT OF EVENTS PERU - Cusco hotels plan to cut rates to boost tourism PERU - Peru's Machu Picchu likely to be closed until April PERU - Peru Aims to Speed Up Machu Picchu Rail Repairs as GDP Suffers Machu Picchu Pueblo Mayor claims it is "not chaos" Lawmakers present bill to promote alternative access roads to Machu Picchu Spain thanks Peru for helping out European stranded tourists in Cusco Tourism Minister: No damage to Machu Picchu, railway repairs expected to be ... Peru prioritizes rehabilitation of access roads to Machu Picchu Cusco loses US $1 million per day in tourism revenues State Of Emergency In Southern Peru After Rains – Peru Defense Minister: Armed Forces should be responsible for responding to natural disasters Peru to promote other tourist destinations instead of Machu Picchu Calm returns to Machu Picchu(Aguas Calientes) town after heavy rains Two Canadians coming home after surviving earthquake, flood, two avalanches in ... Peru evacuates last stranded tourists TOURIST EVACUATION OVERWHELMS CUSCO Peru launches campaign to promote Cusco as safe destination PromPeru to promote Sacsayhuaman, Pisac as tourist attractions in Cusco Peru evacuates people from rain-affected areas in Puno
Prime minister visits Huancavelica to deliver
humanitarian aid UPDATE - JANUARY 29, 2010 Reviewing perurail.com website we located a statement about the current status of the railway dated January 28, 2010.
UPDATE BREAKING NEWS JANUARY 29, 2010 The Cusco airport reported that they are waiting for two more flights from Aguas Calientes at 5:30 pm. Weather is clear. A representative at a hotel in Aguas Calientes confirms at 5:oopm that all tourists have been evacuated. Stated the helicopters are to return tomorrow to evacuate residents that want to leave. Source said that some residents are unsure if the helicopters will return. Verified with the police in Aguas Calientes that
the last helicopters are preparing to leave at this time. There are
still Peruvian tourists waiting to leave tomorrow. UPDATE - JANUARY 29, 2010 - 12:37 Source confirms that evacuation continues with good weather in Aguas Caliente. Expects evacuation of tourists to be completed today. Claims that at that time beginning tomorrow Peruvian residents may choose to be evacuated. Source has decided to stay and stated most hotels are closing up due to no new traffic coming in. Stated that is a horrible tragedy for the residents that have depended so heavily on tourism. UPDATE - JANUARY 29, 2010 4:15 AM PERU TIME No current rain in Cusco - However, weather reports show partly cloudy, light wind at present time with 76 percent humidity. Chance of thunderstorms and 20 percent chance of precipitation for Friday. Current satellite image show Aguas Calientes clear skies. OUTSTANDING AUDIO INTERVIEW FROM U.S. CITIZEN BY PERUANISTA BLOG
VARIOUS VIDEOS
UPDATE - JANUARY 28, 2010 AC (3:30 PM) Source from Argentina informs that helicopters have been working all day and that there are approximately 500 tourists remaining at this time. Source believes that all remaining tourists will be evacuated by tomorrow evening. Weather is cloudy with no current rain. No reports of any civil unrest-that the situation has calmed down a lot since many have left and it appears the military is working hard at moving people out as fast as weather will permit. Two NZ couples rescued in Peru - GOOD ARTICLE UPDATE - JANUARY 28, 2010 AC (1:00 pm) Source in Aguas Calientes stated helicopters have been evacuating all morning per age. He believes that they are now in the age group of 30-40 years old. There is light rain but believes flights will continue if the rain is not heavy. Source believes that all tourists should be out by tomorrow if the weather holds up. Anticipates the train will be down at least for a month and that Machu Picchu will also be closed. Stated that food supplies are ok now that there are less people and that the stress factor seems to be diminishing. There is no update at perurail.com / However, it appears they are not selling tickets for next week as they were earlier. Checked March1, 2010, tickets are for sale. UPDATE - JANUARY 28, 2010 Airport at 10:40 am is open, no current rain. Indications from the airport that helicopter flights are in operation at this time to retrieve the tourists in Aguas Calientes. UPDATE - JANUARY 28, 2010 00:30 Hours - Weather forecast for next several days in Cusco. Thursday - Cloudy, storms(gusty). Friday - Cloudy, moderate rain. Saturday - Partly cloudy, rain.
Peru Rains Stall Tourist Evacuation From Machu Picchu (Update3) UPDATE - JANUARY 27, 2010 -EXCLUSIVE 18:00 hours Peru - Latest information from Aguas Calientes is that electricity is out. No indication of when power will be restored. Reports indicated that a few helicopters did get out today with tourists. A master list is prepared now of evacuees and the order in which they will be removed. It is posted in the city square area. Criteria has been set by oldest first (except children) to youngest and female before male. Signs have been posted that residents of the area and Machu Picchu are not permitted on the list and will not be evacuated at this time. It was reported that several local residents had placed their names on the list to be evacuated. Any rain in Cusco is not good news for Aguas Calientes as the runoff flows into the river at Aguas Calientes. UPDATE - JANUARY 27, 2010 EXCLUSIVE Report from two interviews with North Americans currently trapped in Aguas Calientes: Conducted January 27, 2010 at 1:00 pm. Groups have organized by nationality and or language and it appears that there is a great deal of disorganization going on in terms of who is in charge of the evacuation. Approximately 125 U.S. citizens comprise one group and are having several meetings a day. One American has coordinated this group. It was reported that the group of of 125 showed up at the field today at 4:30 am and a female showed up who seemed to be in charge (maybe from a Peruvian authority?) and told a U.S. representative that the Americans could not be in front of the line. It is not clear who the U.S. representative was and had to succumb to the directive of the Peruvian authority. The Americans were directed to return to the end of the line This story has not been confirmed. The source indicated that the group awaiting helicopters was so large that it is difficult to tell what is going on. Source indicates that there were reports on the first day of evacuations that Americans and Japanese were shoving money through the fences in order to secure space on the helicopters. Per the source this is unconfirmed but the rumor has caused a lot of animosity towards the remaining Americans by other nationalities. ATMS are empty and there are reports of diarrhea ect. One hotel indicated they did not raise their prices and are allowing individuals to sleep in their lobby. There are intermittent electrical outages. At 1:30 pm there was no electricity in parts of Aguas Calientes. The first helicopter left this afternoon at about 1:00 pm. Reports are that the fog has been bad in the mornings and flights are not taking place. Several reports indicate that most of the remaining tourists seem to be in their 30's or younger. While there is some rationing of food reports indicate most everyone seems to be eating and drinking. One report stated a large group went to the disco last night and had a great time. One report stated that there is some fear that if all the Americans are allowed to leave that the helicopters may not return. Another source stated they heard (unconfirmed) that several other countries offered assistance but were denied. Also, the source claimed that there may be more Americans than 125 in that they could have missed one of the meetings. Source said they have been informed that the likely hood of the track being back on line to Cuzco may be closer to a month due to information they have received from various individuals who have walked sections of the track.
UPDATE - JANUARY 27, 2010 Peru Rail still not operating from Cusco to Machu Picchu. No indication was given by their office in Cusco when operation will resume. When asked why they were selling tickets on their website for next week, their representative stated they were anticipating a return to operations. Weather in Cusco - Clear at 1:00 pm Cusco time. UPDATE - JANUARY 27, 2010 As of 10:00 am local time Cusco, airport is operating normally. Radar maps for Cusco and Aguas Calientes show cloudy at the present time. UPDATE - JANUARY 27, 2010 Cusco weather for Wed - 60 percent chance of precipitation - t-storms - Thursday forecast partly cloudy. Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism reported that up to 800 tourists are expected to be evacuated on 01-27-2010. There are a total of 11 helicopters enlisted in the operation with four being supplied by the U.S. embassy. The minister claimed that 475 people were successfully evacuated on Tuesday. No indication was given why part of the group was left in Ollantaytambo and the rest moved onto Cusco. He emphasized that much of tomorrows efforts will depend on the weather. Furthermore, The Urubabamba Valley is difficult to negotiate because it is not very wide and demands that not to many aircraft fly at the same time. Source: El Comercio, RPP Reports have also stated that there have been some problems about who was allowed to leave first in terms of who had more money. Evidently, hotels raised their prices as well as vendors being reported of having doubled their prices. Exchange rates also changed. Peru Rail has not posted any information on their website about the current situation However, their website is selling tickets for February 1, 2010. Previous dates state nothing is available. It will be interesting to see how they actually handled the situation once everyone is out of Aguas Calientes. A call made to their office in Cusco at 4:00 pm Peruvian time stated that they have no idea when service will resume, that it is day to day. Here is one of their conditions in their contract on Peru Rail's website. 16. If the service given by the Operator, for any reason is not completed, the Operator must give facilities to the client, such as an alternative transportation, for him/her to be able to conclude the trip at no additional cost or, according to circumstances return to the starting point, with no responsibility of the Operator.
Hundreds of Aussies stranded in Peru
- Indicates they are not getting any help UPDATE - JANUARY 26, 2010 Helicopters transported 260 tourists today from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo. They will then be bused to Cusco. Five helicopters were used beginning this afternoon. The plan tomorrow is to evacuate 1,600 tourist if the weather permits. They are hoping to move 300 passengers an hour over a six hour period. Peru Rail has been shipping relief supplies. source: ANDINA UPDATE - JANUARY 26, 2010 - EXCLUSIVE FROM LANEWSUPDATE.COM Lannewsupdate.com just interviewed a Canadian citizen who is stranded in Aguas Calientes via telephone. She informed lanewsupdate that helicopters began to arrive today after 1:00 pm and only fifteen choppers have come and gone. Each helicopter can hold between 25-30 people and that she believes not all of the older adults, sick or children, have been able to leave. She stated her tour guide stayed with her group and has informed them that there may still be 500 tourists on the mountain who have not gotten off the trail. Food is beginning to run out but she does not feel in "immediate danger" at this time however, stated food is "maxed out". The city has set up stands with some food (soup) and water for those who have run out of money. ATM machines appear to be out of money. However, when they were operating, the lines were 20 people deep. She indicated that the a group she was with attempted to hire a helicopter but that the government would not grant them permission. First attempts of evacuation involved developing a list at the train station where the helicopters were landing - upon first landing tourists rushed the helicopters making a dangerous situation. The list of evacuees is being maintained in the town square. Groups from specific countries have organized in the town square. Numerous people have no place to sleep and are sleeping in the town square or the train. The river currently is not rising however, people are concerned what may happen if the rain continues. The military is based at the river to make sure no one tries to walk from the town. UPDATE - JANUARY 26, 2010 - The airport is currently open - there were three flights cancelled this morning due to inclement weather. UPDATE- JANUARY 26, 2010 CPN radio reports that there is still a group of tourists stranded in the sanctuary of Machu Picchu and can not descend to the lower areas due to rising rivers. UPDATE - JANUARY 26, 2010 U.S. Consulate in Cusco confirms evacuations are in the process and U.S. government is coordinating with Peruvian authorities to assist. No time frame given as to when evacuations will be complete. UPDATE - JANUARY 26, 2010 EXCLUSIVE from lanewsupdate.com LANEWSUPDATE.COM has just spoken with one of the owners of a hostel in Aguas Calientes. Francisco Seminario of Rupawasi Condor House Eco Lodge reported via telephone that there are helicopters currently evacuating tourists at this time. Yesterday 60 tourists were evacuated. He stated that one of his guests reported that additional U.S. helicopters are being flown in from Colombia and hopefully will begin operations this afternoon. However, these helicopters from Colombia carry only five passengers at a time. Other reports is that individuals were attempting to leave Aguas Calientes by foot to get to the next town which is seven miles away. However, the military and police have stopped pedestrians from leaving. Also, there is a cash shortage is becoming an issue as the ATMS are out of money. Aguas Calientes has not received any new provisions in five days and the situation is becoming critical. Vendors have raised prices to take advantage of the situation. One source indicated that it is expected it may take two to three days before the evacuation is completed. UPDATE - JANUARY 26, 2010 Your Tube Video from Chilean asking for help stating the stranded are not sure what is going on and that there does not appear to be official word as to when they all will be out - Claims mayor is absent and the prices have risen dramatically - He states there is a rumor that they may be there for fifteen days - Unknown source
NEWS REPORT SHOWING TOURISTS ARRIVING BY HELICOPTER
UPDATE - JANUARY 26, 2010 Today was published in the official gazette El Peruano, Presidential Decree No. 015-2010-PCM, which formalizes the state of emergency in the provinces of Calca Cusco, Quispicanchis, Cusco, Urubamba, the Convention, Anta, Canas, Canchis Paucartambo Acomayo and Paruro well as in the Apurimac region. Time Frame-60 days UPDATE - January 26, 2010 The regional president of Cusco confirmed at least 7 deaths due to recent rains. He submitted in report to news agencies that half of the city has been without water and there is a health alert. Bridge collapse connecting Cusco and Quillabamba Source: CNR Radio UPDATE - January 26, 2010 Argentinean tourist and guide perish on the Inca Trail in avalanche - Tourist was reported in her tent. It is not known if they were headed to Machu Picchu or Cusco. They were located at the the Inti Punku section of the trail - 500 Argentinean tourists are part of the nearly two thousand that have been trapped. Source - el comercio.pe UPDATE - January 26, 2010 Cusco Airport - Open - regular schedule flights as of 10:00 am Peru time. Inca Trail closed - Per Instituto Nacional de Cultura Cusco - No set time as to reopening - Conducting study. Trail is usually closed in February for maintenance. Train - Per Peru Rail line is still blocked and repairs are being conducted. As of Tuesday morning no indication when operation will begin. Government has declared a 60 day state of emergency in the region. Weather: Cuzco last night rained - Today cloudy as of 10:00 am. Peru time.
UPDATE January 25, 2010 - The airport in Cuzco indicated that flights have run normally this afternoon. Flights end about 4:30 pm. Instituto Nacional de Cultura Cusco INFORMED lanewsupdate.COM that part of the Inca Trail is non operational and is closed until further notice. UPDATE JANUARY 25, 2010 - ANDINA news agency reports that the government is conducting an airlift via helicopter of the 1,954 tourists stranded in the town of Machu Picchu. They are to be ferried to the town of Ollantaytambo and then will return via road to Cusco. Women and children are to be transported first. They are currently staying at hotels, hostals, and the train station. None of the tourists are stranded at the sanctuary. UPDATE JANUARY 25, 2010 - Reports indicate the airport is open in Cusco and the city square is in good condition. Most of the damage from rain and flooding has been on the outskirts of the city. Peru Rail informs that there are about 2000 tourists stranded in Aguas Calientes and that the train is suspended for the time being and is affected in four areas of the track. The government is coordinating evacuations via helicopter to Ollantaytambo. UPDATE JANUARY 25, 2010 Per reports the number of
stranded tourists may be 2000 in the Cusco MP region. Efforts are being
made to fly stranded individuals out of MP to Cuidad Ollantaytambo.
JANUARY 24, 2010 The mayor of Cusco has requested the government to declare a state emergency. The area has been slammed with rains and mudslides that have had severely impacted the region. The train operated by a British consortium (Peru Rail) reported that the line between Cusco and Machu Picchu has been severed at two locations and the train is not running. Road traffic including tour buses are lined up at the Cusco-Abancay highway due to flooding of the Yanama River. Four to five landslides have been reported near Machu Picchu and over 200 individuals including tourists per reports have been trapped due to mudslides. Flooding has also caused the relocation of residents in the Cusco area due to flooding. LATIN AMERICA NEWS AGGREGATOR LANEWSUPDATE.COM
LATIN AMERICA NEWS AGGREGATOR LANEWSUPDATE.COM Source: News wires and La Republica, Peru Rail
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