Peru has declared a state of emergency over much of the country after severe rainfall, landslides, and flooding linked to ocean warming and El Nino Costero, authorities said.

The emergency measure was signed by interim President José María Balcázar and published in the official gazette. It is intended to fast-track resources for local and regional authorities to reinforce and repair essential infrastructure such as bridges, roads, and water and electricity systems, while protecting residents’ health and safety.

Under the decree, large numbers of districts across Peru—stretching across the Pacific coast, the Andes, and the Amazon—are included. Officials reported road damage nationwide and said the destruction is concentrated in the regions hit hardest by the storms. They also updated the death toll tied to rain-related events since December.

Officials said Pacific waters have been warming and that El Nino Costero is expected to strengthen somewhat in March, with higher evaporation rates contributing to extreme rainfall and increased river flows.