Lord of Miracles under unusual heat: the hours of greatest risk and how to avoid an emergency during the procession

Metropolitan Lima is going through an unusually hot October. Temperatures remain above the usual values ​​for spring and, this Sunday the 18th and Monday the 19th, thousands of faithful will return to the streets of Downtown Lima to accompany the Lord of Miracles during two long days of procession. The heat is not a minor factor: in the first departure of Cristo Moreno, on October 3, Nearly 90 people had to be treated for decompensation and heat stroke.

According to information from the Ministry of Health, the majority of those treated were older adults who presented low blood pressure and alterations in their glucose levels. Three people had to be taken to hospitals. to receive specialized care: two to Rebagliati and one to the Castilla hospital.

He increase in heat in Metropolitan Limabut, practically, in the entire Peruvian territory it is due to two factors: the Coastal Childbut also the considerable increase in sea temperatureswhich also has an impact on rainfall, since, if we compare it with October 2025, the scenario was completely different from the current one.

“The values ​​are higher than expected. In 2025, at this point in the year we were around 15 degrees,” he tells us. Elizabeth Silvestrepresident of Inclima: “Today we are at 21 degrees in the morning and in some places they reach 30 or 33 degrees between noon and 2 in the afternoon. At night, the temperatures do not drop much.”

For his part, Abraham Levy, meteorology specialistpointed out that “the sea is between 7 and 8 degrees warmer than normal off the north and central coast of Peru. The air you breathe is brought by the sea breeze. When the breeze comes into contact with the water, the sea transfers heat to the air that arrives hot in the districts of Lima. In practice we are in summer.”

While Raquel Loayzameteorological engineer at Senamhi, added: “in Lima Centro dawns between 21 and 22 degrees“Let’s say, around 7 in the morning, but towards noon, despite having a cloudy sky, the thermometer can reach 25 or 26 degrees.”

The procession of the Lord of Miracles with high temperatures

The three specialists consulted by The Commerce agree that the population that will attend the procession of the Lord of Miracless on Sunday, October 18 and Monday, October 19, you will do so being aware that we are in summer and with everything that this season represents in a city like Metropolitan Lima.

Loayza indicates the best times to attend the procession and avoid high temperatures: “on the 18th there will be certain gusts of air that are cooling, but from 11 in the morning the sun will be more intense, with more ultraviolet rays until 3 or 4 in the afternoon. It is advisable to go very early until 10 in the morning.”

Levi He notes in this regard: “There is a risk for people, especially at midday and the majority of devotees are not 15 years old, but around 75 years old. There may be a risk of dehydration and a lot of radiation, there is extreme heat and a lot of sun. It is best to go in the morning or as night falls.”

“In the case of older adults, they are the most prone to cases of heat stroke; a recommendation would be that, if they can avoid going, do so, children too,” he mentioned. Wild.

What will the authorities do during the procession of the Lord of Miracles?

The Commerce He also spoke with Mario Casarettodisaster risk management manager of the Metropolitan Municipality of Lima, who revealed that his sector and other institutions met to coordinate prevention actions during the processions:

“We have everything organized for a rapid medical response with personnel from SAMU, SISOL and other entities to attend to cases by heat stroke. We are doing early work to avoid serious consequences. Likewise, we will have a mobile tent for lost children. It will be one block parallel to the procession. We have preventionists and volunteers from the Brotherhood. Last year 22 minors went missing. If the parents do not appear, they turn themselves in to the Police at the Monserrat police station.”

In the same way, Casaretto revealed that a unified position between the National Police, firefighters, Civil Defense (Indeci), representatives of the brotherhood, who will carry out constant coordination in the event of any emergency or incident. He remembered that during the first outing of the Lord of Miracles On October 3, it was reported dozens of cases of people affected by high temperatures.

José Luis Toledo ZapataGeneral Steward of the Brotherhood of the Lord of Miracles of the Nazarenes, confirmed the existence of the “Unified Nazarenas Command 2026”whose purpose is “to evacuate and treat, not only cases of heat stroke, which are estimated to be high during these days of the procession, but also to be evacuated and receive first basic care from the brigades. If necessary, ambulances will be used to transfer people to a hospital.”

Toledo Zapata reveals that, during a day of procession, between the comings and goings of the faithful, a total of 1 million people during almost 21 hours that takes each day in which the Moreno Christ walks through the streets, noting that they have enough personnel to attend to any emergency during the procession.

How to safely attend the Lord of Miracles procession?

However, and despite the irregular increase in heat in Metropolitan Lima, the truth is that thousands of faithful will follow the steps of Cristo Moreno despite the extreme heat that the capital is experiencing. Given this, specialists give these tips to attend safely.

“You have to go out with a summer mentality,” he explains. Elizabeth Silvestre: “that the clothes are lighter, cooler, a lot of hydration. For people who like to go close to the walk, I think that now the best thing is to measure yourself a little and accompany with all the devotion, but being further away.”

Raquel Loayza from Senamhi, insists on taking these measures into account: “carry umbrellas, wide hats, use appropriate sunscreen, also light clothing, not dark because it absorbs light, light reflects it. Carrying water to drink during the tour is vital. It must be taken into account that crowded people, plus the heat, will cause the body’s thermal sensation to rise by at least two degrees.”

For its part, Mario Casaretto provides these recommendations: “if we have a deficiency or illness, it is best to stay safe, not be in the crowd. Many people bring children, newborns, a few months old. Do not bring minors, please, many want the Lord to bless their children, that is not right. Let us not commit negligence by not foreseeing these scenarios.”

Avoid heat stroke in the procession of the Lord of Miracles

He National Service of Meteorology and Hydrology of Peru (Senamhi)has given these recommendations in light of the increase in temperatures within the framework of the procession of the Lord of Miracles to avoid heat stroke, which is nothing other than an injury caused by exposure to heat.

• Avoid direct sun exposure between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm
• Avoid performing intense physical activity at the times mentioned above.
• Always look for shade.
• Keep in cool and ventilated environments.
• Avoid crowds of people.
• Avoid placing children and older adults in places with crowds of people.