The governments of Guatemala and Honduras have declared a national emergency due to the rains that have caused deaths, floods, saturation of the soil and landslides that are impacting the populations of both Central American nations.
Situation in Guatemala
Guatemala continues to face the consequences of winter and cracks and undermining have been reported on a highway leading to the south of the country, where two vehicles fell to the bottom of two holes while driving through the area. This situation forced the road to be closed and search efforts to begin, said the spokesman for the Villa Nueva Traffic Police, Henry Quevedo.
“Emergency units are rescuing people who passed through the area and were trapped in this undermining, as of this moment the passage of vehicles is totally closed. It is very important that the people who are around Plaza Villa Nueva get as far away as possible from the place where the sinking occurred because this can be very dangerous,” said the spokesman for the Traffic Police in the area.
Days ago, a crack of at least 10 meters long was registered in another municipality near the city, where the neighbors fear that from one moment to another the situation will worsen and that their houses will be buried.
“Day by day the crack has gotten bigger and yes it is worrying to live here, they told us that we had to evict, but not all of us are in the same conditions to be able to evict and we live with that uncertainty of not knowing if at some point the land it gets washed and a hole is made like it has been done in other places,” said Jorge Sosa, a resident of the place.
Willson García, director of the Institute of Meteorology, warned that in addition to winter, a tropical phenomenon that moves through the Atlantic Ocean could increase rainy conditions.
“We are constantly monitoring the tropical system “Number 9″ has not become a tropical storm,” said the expert.
He also stated that although “it will not have a direct impact on Guatemalan territory, it will have some impact due to the humidity and the strong winds that would occur in the area.”
The rainy season has so far left 3,500,000 Guatemalans affected and 43 dead.
13 deceased in Honduras
The Honduran authorities, who have declared a national emergency, report that 13 people have died and more than 15,000 are affected due to the rains throughout the national territory.
Evacuations continue and approximately 7,000 people have been transferred to shelters in different departments of the country.
The high degree of vulnerability in areas near the rivers has led the authorities of the National Risk Management System to declare a national emergency for 90 days, because the rainfall will continue.
“Until today there are more than 17,000 affected, 13,000 people sheltered at the national level receiving all the attention,” reported Ramón Soto, minister of the National Risk Management System.
According to the report of the authorities, among the deceased there are men, women and children. Damage is also reported in producing areas, and houses and access roads under water.
Many of those affected say they live in fear.
“People have panicked, they have taken their things, some are in shelters, others have looked for another place. The situation is difficult. Here alone, more than 200 people have been harmed,” said Gloria Pérez, shelter coordinator.
The president of Honduras Xiomara Castro visited this weekend one of the points most affected by the floods, where at least 10 communities have been evacuated.
The rains will continue for the next few days and the authorities anticipate more evacuations.
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