Alastair Macleod 
The Wrath of Pachacuti 

In 2017 Peru, bordered by the Pacific in the West and the high Andes in the East  was struck by exceptional torrential rains. Large mudslides carried away villages, parts of the roads, and towns were inundated. many people on the roads lost their lives. Although El Niño was expected this was an exceptionally big event, perhaps a portent of things to come as the climate warms.

This is the story of ordinary Peruvians caught on the road, some losses, some heart rending stories, and some miraculous escapes.

‘Esmerelda leaned up to kiss Francisco. She was dressed in tight jeans, a hip length gilet and a woollen hat. They were getting wet.

This close he inhaled her fragrance of Ambrette; she always spent on a luxury perfumes; an alluring scent, it was crafted with Peruvian hibiscus, bergamot, musk and mandarin.

“The weather forecast is not good.”

“Don’t worry, it won’t last, we will be able to walk in the mountains in the cool air.”

She pressed against him.

“I wish we could travel together.”

‘Back up the road Mayra Yupanqui sheltered with her children under a roof of palms. A noisy flock of green parrots flew out of the nearby jungle and down into the gorge.

She distracted the children by getting them to build a shrine of leaves and branches – a shrine to Pachacuti – The Earth Changer.’