GUATEMALA: Guatemalans brace for heavy flooding and landslides after tropical storm batters the impoverished country
Record ID:
699665
GUATEMALA: Guatemalans brace for heavy flooding and landslides after tropical storm batters the impoverished country
- Title: GUATEMALA: Guatemalans brace for heavy flooding and landslides after tropical storm batters the impoverished country
- Date: 15th October 2011
- Summary: CUILAPA, SANTA ROSA, GUATEMALA (OCTOBER 14, 2011) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF RAIN WATER GUSHING THROUGH CANAL SANDBAGS SUPPORTING FOUNDATIONS OF HOUSE MAN WALKING PAST SWOLLEN CANAL VARIOUS OF RAIN WATER GUSHING THROUGH WATER RESERVOIR (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) FIRE-FIGHTER, PEDRO DIMAS SAYING: "Nationally this complicates the situation for us with rivers swelling and villages collapsing due to the strength of the rain that has poured down on the country. There are highways in some areas that have no access to vehicles and we can't reach people there. This is what is making things difficult for us at the moment." PEOPLE WALKING IN FLOODED ROADS MAN ON FLOODED ROAD FLOODED YARD OF HOME RESIDENTS UNDER COVER FROM RAIN VARIOUS OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN UNDER SHELTER
- Embargoed: 30th October 2011 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Guatemala, Guatemala
- Country: Guatemala
- Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes,Environment
- Reuters ID: LVAA32480SVY9VB7EWVW3KK34M5W
- Story Text: Guatemalan authorities were on high alert on Friday (October 14) as swollen canals, reservoirs and mudslides threaten the southern region of Santa Rosa which was hit by tropical storm 12-E.
With roads cut off across the country and water waist-deep on many streets, rescue workers worried they would not be able to reach victims of the torrential rains in Guatemala's isolated communities.
"Nationally this complicates the situation for us with rivers swelling and villages collapsing due to the strength of the rain that has poured down on the country. There are highways in some areas that have no access to vehicles and we can't reach people there. This is what is making things difficult for us at the moment," said firefighter, Pedro Dimas.
With thousands of residents forced to flee their homes and areas inaccessible to vehicles, Guatemalans waded through flooded streets keen to keep up with their lives. However, many frightened residents have converged on temporary plastic shelters scared their homes will be engulfed by landslides.
"The soil is very wet, we worry that there will be a landslide near houses but in this area this is spontaneous due to the topography of the terrain so it puts us in danger. What do we do, when roads break up near homes. We are worried, we are here scared that something bad (will happen) as it has not stopped raining in winter," said President of the Community Support Council, Hilario Mazariegos.
Meteorologists predict the threat of rains from the tropical storm could continue for another 24 hours.
Guatemala is vulnerable to heavy rains because of its mountainous terrain, and poor communications in rural areas hamper rescue efforts. In 2010, tropical storm Agatha left 35,000 people stranded in emergency shelters in the country.
Across Central America, at least 18 people have been killed from the most recent storm including 13 in Guatemala, four in Nicaragua and one in El Salvador. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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