The National Emergency
Committees in Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua have been alerted
to the threat of tropical storm Adrian which is heading to these countries
from the Pacific Ocean. Adrian is considered to be atypical, as the
central American region is not usually affected by this type of storm
from the Pacific.
El Salvador:
The National Emergency Committee in El Salvador (COEN) has declared
an orange alert. The storm is currently gathering strength on the
pacific coast near Guatemala and El Salvador with winds reaching 80
to 100 km/hour. The storm is forecast to arrive on Salvadorian territory
sometime today, 19 May, and is expected to affect the whole country.
Schools have been closed and fishing activities have been banned.
The ACT National
Forum in El Salvador has been activated to co-ordinate disaster preparedness
activities with local community networks in Cara Sucia on the south
west coast. The forum will keep the ACT CO updated on the situation.
Guatemala:
The National Co-ordination for Disaster Reduction (CONRED) has
declared an orange alert for all the provinces near the Pacific coast
and all staff from the regional offices are on alert. So far three
temporary shelters have been set up and 29 others have been identified
in case of need. Transportation is available for evacuation activities.
The ACT Forum in Guatemala has been activated and is following the
situation.
Honduras: In
Honduras, the Permanent Committee for Emergencies (COPECO) has declared
a red alert for the centre, west and southern areas of the country
and green for the rest of the country. The ACT Forum in Honduras has
been activated and is following the situation.
Nicaragua:
In Nicaragua the National System for Prevention, Mitigation and
Response to Disasters (SINAPRED) has declared a green alert for the
whole country. In Managua the population living in the lower areas
of the city close to Xolotlan lake have been advised to evacuate.
However, the local government has announced that they do not have
the resources to assist the population in the evacuation.
It is expected
that storm will bring heavy rains that could reach 450mm causing flooding
and landslides.
