Guatemala decreed a State of Calamity due to rains in the departments of Izabal, Petén, Alta Verapaz, Chiquimula, Quiché, Zacapa, Jutiapa, El Progreso and Santa Rosa.
Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei reported Thursday that at least 50 people have died as a result of the rains caused by tropical depression Eta.
The president moved to the department of Izabal, one of the regions most affected by the rains, with river overflows and landslides, which complicates the arrival of aid to complicated areas and the rescue of at least 1,500 people.
Giammattei explained that due to the deterioration of the roads, it can only be accessed by air.
“Among the avalanches that are taking place in Huehuetenango and San Cristóbal Verapaz, it is estimated that there are 25 houses buried by the avalanche and it is estimated that there are around 50 people inside the houses,” Giammattei told the press in the department of Izabal (East).
Before moving to Izabal, Giammattei decreed a State of Calamity due to rains for this department and eight others, Petén, Alta Verapaz, Chiquimula, Quiché, Zacapa, Jutiapa, El Progreso and Santa Rosa.
The National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (Conred) reported on Thursday afternoon a landslide in the Queja village, Alta Verapaz department, which buried 15 homes and about 75 people who were inside.
According to official data, there were 662 people evacuated from 18 shelters on Thursday, and the authorities continued humanitarian work in the rain and it has increased the chances of landslides.
According to reports from the United States National Hurricane Center (NHC), the rains caused by tropical depression Eta could result in floods and landslides in Central America and in the Cayman Islands, Cuba, Jamaica and the southeast from Mexico.
Source: Telesur
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