What is huayco?

Huayco is a Spanish word used to describe a type of flash flood or mudflow that can occur in mountainous regions. Huaycos typically occur during the rainy season and are caused by heavy rainfall that saturates the soil, causing it to become unstable and prone to erosion. When this happens, large amounts of water and mud can rapidly flow downhill, causing significant damage to buildings, homes, roads, and other infrastructure in its path. Huaycos can be particularly dangerous because of their speed and unpredictability, and can pose a significant risk to human life in affected areas. In recent years, there have been several high-profile huayco incidents in countries such as Peru and Colombia, highlighting the need for improved preparedness and mitigation measures in vulnerable regions.