Officials said on Sunday that huge waves of up to four meters were hitting the coasts of Ecuador and Peru, closing several ports and killing at least two people.
Ecuador’s Secretary of Risk Management, Jorge Carrillo, told a media conference that an “extreme event” was occurring and warned that a similar event could be expected in the future.
He said “unfortunately, we have two deaths, both recorded” in Ecuador’s southwestern Manta region.
Enrique Veria, head of the navy’s oceanography department, told broadcaster Canal N that almost all ports in neighboring Peru had been closed due to persistent waves.
He predicted that large waves “will continue in the coming days”, but expected them to calm down somewhat from Monday and return to normal in the first days of January.
“Climate change is behind these types of odd waves,” Larry Lynch, head of the civil protection unit in Peru’s Callao region, told AFP.
Pictures shown on local media showed piers and public squares in parts of Peru submerged, sending residents fleeing to higher ground.
According to the Peruvian Navy, the waves are being generated off the US coast due to winds blowing on the ocean surface.
Officials said many beaches in the central and northern parts of the country have been closed to prevent danger to human life.
Many fishing boats were damaged, while those that survived were still unable to operate in the dangerous conditions.
“We need help from the authorities. Here, we have lost about 100 boats,” a fisherman told TV Peru.
“I am 70 years old and I have never seen such unusual and strong waves,” he said.
The navy rescued thirty-one fishermen stranded at sea on Saturday afternoon, while one told local radio that about 180 others were still at sea.
Large waves were seen hitting the central Chilean coast in Viña del Mar, prompting a warning to authorities.
Callao, which is located near the capital Lima and is home to Peru’s largest port, has closed several beaches and barred tourists and fishing boats from leaving.
“There is a huge problem,” Roberto Carrillo Zavala, mayor of La Cruz district, told AFP after surveying the damage via helicopter with Peruvian Defense Minister Walter Astudillo Chavez.
“Fishermen have been the most affected,” Zavala said. “We hope nothing else happens because it will have a significant impact on the economy.”
According to Peru’s National Emergency Operations Center, the incident began on Christmas and will last until January 1.