Tropical storm hit Central America

Guatemala | OM International

And then the rain fell

Central America - Agatha, a powerful, tropical storm hit Central America and has left at least 175 people dead in floods and mudslides. One hundred people are missing and another 87 are injured. The worst-hit country is Guatemala, where officials say at least 152 already have died and nearly 125.000 people have been evacuated. About 74.000 people in the country are living in shelters.

Storm Agatha swept in from the Pacific Ocean on Saturday and these rains have added to the disruption caused by the eruptic vulcano Pacaya. Parts of the country have received their highest rainfall in more than 60 years and the road network is badly damaged, according to the president.

A state of emergency has been declared in three countries Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras during the last day of May. In El Salvador rains triggered 140 landslides, where at least nine people died. In Honduras there are at least 16 storm-related deaths.

In spite of the complicated situation, emergency workers still search for survivors digging in the mud, after landslides destroyed entire communities. Due to the closure of the main airport because of the ashes from the volcano, it has been difficult to get humanitarian supplies to the worst areas.

The first foreign aid began to flow in recently, as helicopters brought tents and medicine to remote cities of the Pacific coast. While UN's World Food Program brings in 5000 tons of food, many other international organizations and countries try to help out with rescue work.

The region's biggest producer of coffee, Guatemala, is concerned over the condition of the coffee crop after the natural disaster hit the country. Also in El Salvador, the worst of the rain fell in the main coffee-growing area. Both countries are now worried for the final outcome of the storm Agatha.

Please pray for those who are suddenly currently homeless, besides, for the local Evangelical Christians as they try to reach out to the needy people!

Sources: BBC, Reuters, Red-Cross Panamá, CNN

Credit: OM International
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