The government of Peru has declared a state of emergency as winter temperatures in large parts of the South American country plunge to record lows, media reports said today. So far, at least 100 people have died in the worst cold spell in 46 years, according to dpa. The state of emergency applies in 17 of Peru's 25 regions. The measure would facilitate the distribution of food, shelter and medicine, according to the media. In the capital Lima, where the climate is typically subtropical, temperatures dipped to around eight degrees.
