Overview
- The national government formally put the works in Chincha (Ica) and Cañete (Lima) into operation on Tuesday, presenting finished river defenses aimed at preventing overflows during El Niño events.
- Chincha’s program, executed by the Autoridad Nacional de Infraestructura under a Government‑to‑Government deal with the United Kingdom, totals an updated S/808.8 million investment and includes more than 62.10 kilometers of rockfill dikes with a projected 100‑year useful life.
- The Cañete intervention, built by the PSI/MIDAGRI with financing from JICA and the Regional Government of Lima, includes 11.79 kilometers of rockfill dikes, upgraded bocatomas, 13 discharge structures and reforestation, and it protects more than 1,200 hectares while helping secure water for about 16,000 hectares of production.
- Project execution generated 2,947 jobs with 811 local hires in Chincha and delivered 18 community training sessions in Cañete for 90 local leaders, and regional officials say maintenance arrangements will be put in place to keep the works functioning.
- Officials framed the works as part of a national El Niño preparedness push that combines desilting and bank reinforcement to reduce future disaster costs, protect households and preserve coastal-valley agriculture and water supply.