A Peruvian shaman takes part in a ritual to deliver predictions for the upcoming Earth Day, on top of the San Cristobal hill in Lima, on April 21, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)

LIMA — The Peruvian government on Sunday declared a 60-day state of emergency in 131 districts due to the "imminent danger" of the possible arrival of the El Nino phenomenon.

According to a decree published in the official gazette "El Peruano," the districts were in nine departments including Apurimac, Cusco, Junin and Puno.

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The measure calls on regional governments, along with the National Civil Defense Institute (Indeci), the Ministry of Health and other institutions, to execute emergency, response and rehabilitation operations.

The governments of the nine departments "do not have the response capacity" to deal with the foreseen situation brought about by the El Nino phenomenon, making national-level assistance necessary, said an Indeci report.