Heavy rainfall in Peru has triggered landslides that have blockaded the railway to Machu Picchu, leaving over 1,500 tourists stranded in the ancient Inca village. According to Peruvian officials, the railroad will likely not be restored until mid-next week.
At this time, over 1,000 tourists have been evacuated by helicopter, but problems are still arising. As many as 250 hikers are still arriving each day to Machu Picchu via the Inca trail and choppers are only capable of airlifting 120 people per hour.
Evacuees are being flown to Machu Picchu Pueblo, where reports of scarce resources is creating a steep price for food, water, and accommodations. According to Ruben Baldeon, spokesman for Machu Picchu Pueblo, bottled water is selling for five times its usual price and electricity to the town has been cut off.
Roughly 1,500 to 1,600 tourists still remain in Machu Picchu and weather forecasts predict heavy rain to continue throughout the week.
[via: msnbc]
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