Peru increased the number of closed ports to 58 on Wednesday, out of a total of 121, due to strong waves that hit the country’s central and northern coastsattributed by maritime authorities to the storms hitting the west coast of the United States.

“The number of closed ports along the entire coastline increases to 58 due to waves of light to moderate intensityThe National Emergency Operations Center (COEN) announced this via the social network X (formerly Twitter).

The decision was made by the Navy’s Captaincy and Coast Guard Directorate, COEN said.

Of the 121 ports along the entire Peruvian coast, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, only 63 are open on the southern coast.

Initially, Peru had announced the closure of 33 ports from this Wednesday and until next Sunday.

The waves are due to “a series of storms that have developed in the Northern Hemisphere, especially off the coast of California,” which took three days to reach the Peruvian coast, the head of Marine Oceanography said. Giacomo Morote, to the press.

The maritime authority has ruled out that the abnormal waves on the Peruvian coast are related to the 7.5 magnitude earthquake that shook Japan on the first day of the year.

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The Peruvian Navy estimates that the phenomenon will cause waves to double their size in some areas, where they can reach heights of up to two meters in normal times.

In Callao, Peru’s main port, near Lima, waves of about two meters flooded promenades and squares causing river residents to flee on Tuesday night, according to images broadcast by local channel Canal N.

Residents formed barricades in their homes and placed sandbags at doors to prevent flooding.

The California coast in the western United States was hit by huge waves last Thursday, sweeping away pedestrians and vehicles. According to meteorologists, they are the product of a Pacific storm system that hit the region.

Global warming, caused by greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activities, is increasing the magnitude and frequency of extreme weather events. (JO)