Guatemala: Heavy Rains Cause Havoc Displacing Over 2,500

A torrential downpour over the past 24 hours has left over 2,500 Guatemalans heavily affected with floods and landslides on the southern and northern coast, EFE has reported.

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The National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (Conred) said in a statement a landslide that occurred on a road that connects the towns of Nahualate and Chicacao, in the southern department of Suchitepéquez, affected 1,500 people.   

Flooding was also reported in the municipalities of Mazatenango, San Antonio Suchitepéquez, San José El Idol and Santo Domingo Suchitepéquez where 285 people were affected, and 44 houses suffered minor and moderate damages.  

Of those affected, 28 people received humanitarian assistance, he added. According to the institution, nearly 18 people and three houses were impacted by the landslide in the community of Siete Vueltas in Chicacao. 

While in San José el Idolo municipality in the Suchitepéquez department of Guatemala and the Monte Llano village of San Miguel Panam, the damage affected another 500 people, he added. The overflow of the Xulá River in the southern department of Retalhuleu left 51 residents impacted and 13 homes with moderate damage.  

A landslide that occurred in the area of Cerro Los Chorros in the northern department of Alta Verapaz affected 400 people who pass through this route declared at high risk since 2009, according to Conred.  

The rainy season began May 13 has already left one dead, one disappeared, 263,096 affected, 368 homes with varying levels of damages also left 31 roads, four bridges and two schools damaged.