El Niño could strike Peru’s coast in the second half of the year, according a new report by the U.S. Climate Prediction Center, released on Thursday.

“Overall, the forecaster consensus reflects increased chances for El Niño beginning in July-September 2012,” the agency said in its report.

According to the center, anomalies in June’s oceanic heat content “reflect a likely progression towards El Niño.”

In June, Enfen, Peru’s national El Niño research agency, said that if an El Nino were to occur this year, it would not be as intense as those recorded in previous years.

“We do not deny warm conditions [...] but we see no conditions for an extraordinary event," said Marilu Bouchon, Enfen’s technical coordinator, according to Peru21.

Previously, President Ollanta Humala assured the country the government would take all necessary precautions and be prepared for a potential arrival of El Niño on Peru’s coast.

"Hopefully there isn’t one, but if El Niño comes, we are already taking action with regional governments, and local civil defense to see the river defenses, review bridges, and monitor climate change," Humala said.
 

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