Intense rains led to flooding and mudslides in northern Peru this week, leaving thousands homeless and dozens of residents dead.

According to the Associated Press, at least 72 people lost their lives and thousands are now homeless after a series of storms wreaked havoc on the South American nation. At least 115,000 homes have been destroyed, roadways are impassable and 117 bridges are reportedly washed out, the report added.

"There hasn't been an incident of this strength along the coast of Peru since 1998," President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski said in a statement broadcast live Friday afternoon.

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The president declared a state of emergency in the affected areas and said his government is prepared to provide shelter and assistance to those left homeless by the storms, according to the Voice of America.

The National Police have rescued eight people trapped for three days in Cachipampa and removed the body of an 88-year-old man killed in the floods. On Friday, rescue efforts were still underway.

Dramatic video out of the department of La Libertad shows gallons of water overcoming several buses and truck, killing at least five people.

Flooding also struck Peru's capital of Lima, where flooding rarely occurs. Police aided hundreds of residents living in a suburb cross a flooded road by guiding them one-by-one along a rope through choppy waters. According to BBC.com, the city has also been without drinking water since last Monday .

"There's no way to cross," resident Henry Obando told the AP. "Many people are trying to get to their homes."