Dozens Missing After Peru Landslides

(CBS/AP)  At least 10 people died and as many as 80 were still missing Wednesday in central Peru after torrential rains swelled three rivers, forcing them over their banks and causing devastating landslides earlier in the week.

Civil Defense department officials and the central region's president put the death toll at 10, but it seemed likely to rise.

Regional President Vladimiro Huaroc Portocarrero said some of the bodies had been found in tree tops — where they likely climbed to escape the quickly rising tide of mud and water.

Heavy rain inundated the San Ramon district, 195 miles northeast of the capital, Lima, on Monday.

Civil Defense and Health Ministry Director Luis Lorchero told Peruvian daily "La Primera" that some of the confirmed dead were thought to be miners from a nearby worksite.


As many as 715 families were believed to be affected, thousands of people left homeless.

Magali Chirinos, a San Ramon city councillor, told Peru's Channel 9 television that help was desperately needed.

"There is a total state of emergency. We don't have the exact details, but this is terrible," Chirinos said.

Peru's national meteorological service issued an alert warning residents in the area, which is mostly jungle, of the continued danger resulting from the rains.

The downpour continued in many areas, threatening to force two more rivers over their banks and displace hundreds more people.

Since December, tens of thousands have been affected by strong rains in Peru, where the army and aid organizations have been struggling to provide food and other necessities to those who have lost their homes.