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Days of heavy rain cause deadly floods and landslides in Guatemala

days-of-heavy-rain-cause-deadly-floods-and-landslides-in-guatemala

Heavy downpours over the weekend triggered floods and landslides in Guatemala, killing at least three people and causing buildings to collapse. The victims were said to be the first casualties of the rainy season in the country, which lasts from May to November.

On May 9, 2020, a landslide occurred on a highway in the municipality of Tajumulco in the San Marcos Department. According to the National Coordination for Disaster Reduction (CONRED), one person died in the incident.

Days later, on May 11, two more people lost their lives after a wall collapsed due to heavy rain in Zacapa, the same department.

The rainy season in Guatemala usually starts in May and ends in November, but showers have been hitting the southern region since late April.

As of May 11, around 16 000 people had been affected by 19 disasters caused by severe weather. About 50 houses have been partially or totally damaged, and 44 people displaced.

In the municipality of San Lorenzo in the Suchitepequez Department, 15 homes were damaged due to strong winds and heavy rain. 15 more houses were damaged in Livingston, Izabal Department.

Another landslide was reported in Santa Catalina la Tinta in the department of Alta Verapaz, affecting several residential areas.

Featured image credit: CONRED

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