Guatemala – Floods and Heavy Rain Affect 5,000

by in Americas, News

Civil protection in Guatemala (System of the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction – CONRED) reported on 18 May that almost 6,000 people had been affected by heavy rain and flooding over the last 3 days.

The country’s National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology (Insivumeh) said that over 100 mm of rain fell in 24 hours in 6 different locations on 15 May and in 3 different locations the next day.

CONRED says that there have been 19 incidents of flooding and damaging rainfall, affecting 5,594 people. The worst affected departments are Chiquimula, El Progreso, Guatemala, Petén, Quetzaltenango, Sacatepéquez, Sololá, San Marcos and Suchitepéquez.

Around 240 people have evacuated their homes. Over 100 houses have been damaged and a further 27 severely damaged or destroyed. Seven roads and a bridge have also suffered damage.

Insivumeh has forecast further heavy rain across the country, in particular in southern areas.

Floods in Guatemala, May 2018. Photo: Cruz Roja Guatemala

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