Volunteer firefighters evacuate people after being trapped in a landslide, following the passage of Tropical Storm Julia, at Queja village, in San Cristobal Verapaz, Guatemala, October 10, 2022. /CFP
Volunteer firefighters evacuate people after being trapped in a landslide, following the passage of Tropical Storm Julia, at Queja village, in San Cristobal Verapaz, Guatemala, October 10, 2022. /CFP
Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei declared a State of Public Calamity on Monday to address the damage caused by Tropical Storm Julia, now downgraded to a tropical depression, which made landfall on Nicaragua's Caribbean coast on Sunday before crossing into the Pacific Ocean.
Julia's death toll rose to at least 25 on Monday, with 10 in El Salvador, eight in Guatemala, five in Honduras and two in Panama.
"The damages caused by Julia in Central America and Guatemala are copious. We are expecting very heavy rains and already have flooding, people buried, seven affected bridges, damaged roads and people without electricity," Giammattei said.
(With input from Xinhua)