The strong waves that affect the Guatemalan Pacific coast have already left severe damage to homes, chalets and tourist infrastructure in Monterrico, Taxisco, Santa Rosa; Iztapa, Escuintla, and La Barrona, Moyuta, Jutiapa, while the authorities maintain constant monitoring due to the risk of new effects during the weekend.
The proximity of Tropical Storm Cristina, added to special ocean conditions, has caused damage to properties, according to reports. Personnel from the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (Conred) confirmed damage to at least 15 homes in the village Atitancito, Iztapa, Escuintla.
The meteorological conditions that currently affect the national territory, characterized by an abundant influx of humidity and rain accompanied by electrical activity, not only maintain the probability of generating emergencies on land, but also influence the behavior of the sea, according to the information.
According to Insivumeh, these systems favor the increase in wind over the sea surface, contributing to the formation of higher than normal waves in sectors of the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. Severe damage was also reported to chalets and properties located in Monterrico, Taxisco, Santa Rosa, and La Barrona, Moyuta, Jutiapa, where the sea advanced several meters inland, damaged structures and caused economic losses that could amount to millions of quetzales.
In Iztapa, concern increases due to the coastal erosion observed in the El Conacaste cemetery sector, where the waves have considerably reduced the distance between the graves and the beach line, causing alarm among neighbors and local authorities.
The Municipality of Iztapa declared an orange alert, so the Municipal Coordinator for Disaster Reduction maintains permanent surveillance in the most vulnerable areas and recommends the population avoid approaching the coastal strip while adverse conditions persist.
Added to this panorama is an astronomical phenomenon that could aggravate the situation. In interview for Free Press Radio This Tuesday, June 10, the director of Insivumeh, Edwin Rojas, explained that the presence of a supermoon will favor higher tides and an increase in waves on the Pacific coast; In addition, it will contribute to the development of storms during the weekend.
The authorities warn that maritime conditions will continue to be dangerous in the coming days and urge fishermen, tourists and residents to stay informed through official channels and follow prevention recommendations.
In the village of La Barrona and Barra del Jiote, Moyuta, Jutiapa, more than 120 homes were flooded and hundreds of people were affected, while the sea advances on businesses and communities located next to the beach.
Dozens of families face losses and concern due to the constant advance of the waves.
According to Conred, 82 homes were affected in the village of La Barrona, which directly impacted 448 people. In Barra del Jiote, damage was reported to another 40 homes, with 141 people injured.
The images captured at the scene show how the water entered businesses and structures located a few meters from the beach. Merchants and neighbors watch with concern as the waves continue to gain ground and threaten their sources of income.
Conred personnel and municipal authorities carried out the damage assessment and needs analysis to determine the magnitude of the damage and coordinate assistance to the affected families.
The authorities maintain constant monitoring and do not rule out that these conditions will continue in the coming days.
Given this scenario, Conred recommends that the population avoid staying in vulnerable areas, heed the instructions of the authorities and stay informed through official channels.
The intense rains of the last few hours have also affected Santa Rosa, where flooding and mudflows have been reported in the village of Los Esclavos, Cuilapa.
In that place, at least 52 homes were affected and 252 people were harmed, of which 22 had to be transferred to a temporary shelter set up by the authorities. The Conred has begun to send humanitarian aid.
At the site, there was an accumulation of mud, stones and debris in dozens of homes.
One of the most affected points was the sector known as La Chorisera, where the level of mud reached up to 70 centimeters high inside some homes, which caused damage to furniture, appliances and other family belongings.
Neighbors of the sector pointed out that work to extract material and open streets in nearby areas could have contributed to the dragging of sediments during the rains, a situation that the authorities are also evaluating.
Personnel from the Municipality of Cuilapa, Conred and the Guatemalan Army maintain cleaning work, damage assessment and assistance to affected families, while monitoring continues due to the possibility of more rain in the coming hours.
The authorities reiterated the call to the population to remain attentive to official warnings and report any emergency to the relief bodies.
Santa Rosa and Jutiapa are among the departments where the highest rainfall accumulations due to Tropical Storm Cristina are expected to be recorded.
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