Agatha storm toll climbs to at least 96
Source: Agencies |
June 1, 2010, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
RESCUE crews battled to reach rain-sodden rural areas of Central America yesterday after Tropical Storm Agatha's torrential rain burst riverbanks and triggered mudslides, killing at least 96 people.
The first named storm of the 2010 Pacific hurricane season, Agatha slammed into Guatemala on Saturday, dumping more than 1 meter of rain in the mountainous west of the country and in neighboring El Salvador. It also sparked worries about damage to the coffee crop in both countries.
Several dozen people were still reported missing in Guatemala yesterday. As the rain abated, hundreds of families searched for loved ones and belongings.
"I've lost everything but my two dogs," said a man sitting outside the ruins of his wooden house just outside Guatemala City. Another man said he saw his wife and two daughters swept away as they tried to cross a river for safety.
More than 80,000 people were evacuated over the weekend as the storm buried homes under mud, swept away a highway bridge near Guatemala City and opened up sinkholes in the capital.
"It's been difficult to reach people, but today we should be able to get to these isolated places," said David de Leon, a spokesman for Guatemala's emergency services.
President Alvaro Colom said on Sunday that at least 83 people had died in Guatemala, and officials said more victims would likely be found. Nine people were killed in El Salvador and four in Honduras, including a woman who was electrocuted.
Agatha dissipated as it crossed Guatemala but emergency workers warned residents to expect heavy rain for several more days.
The first named storm of the 2010 Pacific hurricane season, Agatha slammed into Guatemala on Saturday, dumping more than 1 meter of rain in the mountainous west of the country and in neighboring El Salvador. It also sparked worries about damage to the coffee crop in both countries.
Several dozen people were still reported missing in Guatemala yesterday. As the rain abated, hundreds of families searched for loved ones and belongings.
"I've lost everything but my two dogs," said a man sitting outside the ruins of his wooden house just outside Guatemala City. Another man said he saw his wife and two daughters swept away as they tried to cross a river for safety.
More than 80,000 people were evacuated over the weekend as the storm buried homes under mud, swept away a highway bridge near Guatemala City and opened up sinkholes in the capital.
"It's been difficult to reach people, but today we should be able to get to these isolated places," said David de Leon, a spokesman for Guatemala's emergency services.
President Alvaro Colom said on Sunday that at least 83 people had died in Guatemala, and officials said more victims would likely be found. Nine people were killed in El Salvador and four in Honduras, including a woman who was electrocuted.
Agatha dissipated as it crossed Guatemala but emergency workers warned residents to expect heavy rain for several more days.
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