A powerful hailstorm has caused significant damage to potato crops in Yunguyo Province, located in the Puno region of southern Peru. According to Mary Carmen Mamani Ruelas, the subprefect of Yunguyo, the extreme weather event occurred in the early hours of Wednesday morning, between 2:30 a.m. and 3:40 a.m.
The storm heavily affected the locality of Chimbo, part of the Cuturapi district, where several hectares of agricultural land were damaged. Reports indicate that the hail accumulated to a thickness of 15–20 centimeters, causing serious losses to potato crops cultivated under traditional aynoca systems. The locality of Inicati, in the Challapampa sector, was also impacted by the hailstorm.
Local lieutenant governors expressed deep concern over the situation and sent early reports to the Agricultural Agency and the Civil Defense Platform. Representatives of both institutions have already traveled to the affected areas to assess the extent of the damage and coordinate emergency response measures.
Although local authorities attempted to mitigate the phenomenon using anti-hail rockets, these efforts were unsuccessful, and the storm caused widespread damage to potato fields. As part of the immediate response, rapid-response institutions have begun distributing foliar fertilizers to affected farmers in an effort to reduce crop stress and support recovery.
Authorities also emphasized that potato production in Yunguyo Province is facing compounded challenges. In addition to hailstorms, frost events have affected crops across the province in recent weeks. Farmers in this region supply potatoes, fava beans, quinoa, oca, and other Andean crops to multiple regions of the country. Precise figures on crop losses will be released once field evaluations by the Agricultural Agency and Civil Defense are completed.
Source and further reading: http://argenpapa.com.ar
