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Peru: Huaytapallana snowy peak could disappear in 15 years

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

The Huaytapallana snowy peak is the main source of life for the Mantaro Valley: its waters are used for human consumption, for agriculture and industry.

However, according to recent studies by the Geophysical Institute of Peru (IGP), during the last 20 years the its glacier has decreased by 50%, and if that tendency continues, the peak will disappear in 15 years.

Ken Takahashi, head of Peru's Geophysics Institute (IGP) told Peru21 that this represents a serious threat to the region's water reserves as the snow currently provides almost 100% of the water that runs along the river Shullcas, which is used by the Huancayo people.

"The impact of this can be quite dramatic," he said.

He pointed out that a recent study on the impact of climate change on the Mantaro basin showed that the area has experienced a reduction in rainfall by 15% due to global warming, which is affecting water supply and development of various economic activities.

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# Martin says :
25 October, 2009 [ 17:53 ]

It is not only at this peak that the alpine glaciers are rapidly shrinking in size, but throughout the high Andes of Peru. It is important to note that water from these melting glaciers supplies about 80% of Peru's potable water.

# Mike says :
26 October, 2009 [ 09:55 ]

I have been to Huaytapallana many times.  It hardly supplies a drop of water to the Mantaro Valley.

First of all, Huaytapallana doesn't really have that much water coming down from it.  Anyone that has been there, on the south lake side (Laguna Lasuntay being the main source of water) has seen that there is only a small river/stream that leaves Huaytapallana.

Most of the water is taken off by local farmers and fisheries before it makes it down to the Huancayo area.  And before that, people contaminate it by washing their clothes (with chemical cleaners) and other things in the water.

Basically, if it disappeared tomorrow, a very small number of people would be directly affected.  A slightly higher number indirectly.

The fact of the matter is that while it is important for the Mantaro Valley to have water, it isn't as important as water for Lima apparently.  Huancayo has about 2-3 hours of water a day (in the early morning).  The water then shuts off and is diverted to Lima.

Peru isn't even remotely concerned about their water situation.  And the people of the Mantaro Valley are definitely not concerned - if they were they wouldn't let about a dozen farms and fisheries take what little is coming from Huaytapallana.  And they certainly would demand some sort of negotiation with Lima about what it takes away from the area.

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