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Peru's Breakneck Economic Growth Raises Cost of Catastrophe
Peru is becoming increasingly vulnerable to natural disasters as its population and infrastructure expand.
Damage after several rainstorms hit the Peruvian territory causing massive flash floods on March 24, 2017 in Lima.
Photographer: Manuel Medir/CON/LatinContent/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
As Peru prepares to rebuild in the wake of massive flooding, politicians should be aware of one thing: This recurrent phenomena, triggered by the El Nino weather system, is creating more devastation each time.
The rainfall behind the flooding intensified in March, forcing rivers to overflow while inundating towns and cities along the country's arid coast. Even as the wet weather continues into its fourth straight month, it's already clear the economic cost will be higher than during previous, severe El Ninos in 1982-1983 and 1997-1998.