Peru closes 88 ports as Powerful Waves Lash Coast, Claiming One Life
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Lima, Peru – Authorities in Peru have shuttered 88 of the nation’s 122 ports on Sunday, august 24, 2025, as exceptionally high waves, driven by strong winds associated with the South Pacific high-Pressure System, batter the coastline. The severe weather conditions have tragically resulted in one confirmed fatality.
understanding the South Pacific High and Coastal risks
The South Pacific High, also known as the Pacific Anticyclone, is a persistent, strong trade wind system originating off the coasts of Peru and northern Chile. According to the Peruvian National Meteorological Service, it’s characterized by high atmospheric pressure stemming from a mass of cold, stable, and dry air. This system frequently generates powerful swells and hazardous conditions for maritime activities.
Peru’s coastline is notably vulnerable to these events due to its geography. The cold Humboldt Current, flowing northward along the coast, interacts with the atmospheric conditions created by the South Pacific High, amplifying wave heights and creating strong currents. Similar, intense wave events impacted portions of the Peruvian and Chilean coasts in late 2024 and January 2025, highlighting a pattern of increasing coastal vulnerability.
The closure of ports is a preventative measure designed to safeguard lives and property. All fishing and recreational boating activities have been suspended across the affected areas.
The fatality occurred at Puerto Pimentel, approximately 780 kilometers (485 miles) north of Lima. A member of the Peruvian Navy tragically fell overboard from a patrol vessel. The Navy confirmed in a statement that the sailor’s body was recovered approximately one kilometer (0.6 miles) offshore.
“The sailor fell from the boat and his lifeless body was found about a kilometer off the coast,” the Navy stated.
Widespread Closures and Weather Impacts
As of Sunday, “88 of the 122 ports are closed, which shows that the impact of the waves on the Peruvian coast is considerable,” stated Captain Enrique Varea of the Navy’s Hydrographic and Navigation Directorate, speaking on Channel N.Authorities warn that the number of port closures could increase depending on the evolution of the weather system, which is expected to persist through mid-week.
The national Meteorological service also reported that the phenomenon has led to a drop in temperatures and sandstorms in Pisco and Paracas, located on Peru’s central coast. Winds in these areas reached speeds of up to 63 kilometers per hour (39 miles per hour).
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, with wave intensity expected to decrease from “strong” to “moderate” in the coming days, according to naval officials.
