Severe weather has claimed the lives of at least 30 people across Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador this week, according to local authorities.
In El Salvador, the storms have been particularly deadly, with 19 confirmed fatalities. Among the victims are two minors who perished when a landslide engulfed their home in the Soyapango district, about six miles from the capital, San Salvador. Luis Alonso Amaya, the director of Civil Protection, shared these grim details with the local media. The country has evacuated over 2,500 residents from their homes, placing them in shelters for safety.
Guatemala has also suffered significant losses, with 10 deaths reported. The country’s National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (Conred) noted that more than 350 people have been evacuated to shelters. The heavy rains have caused widespread damage, affecting nearly 2,900 homes, 225 roads, and 27 schools.
In Honduras, the Permanent Contingencies Committee (Copeco) reported one death due to the severe weather. More than 1,200 people have been evacuated as a precaution.
Authorities in the region warn that the intense rainfall is expected to continue, posing ongoing risks to these already hard-hit communities.