Since 2020, the flood threats in the Aldea Los Quínlesin the municipality of Puerto Barrios. In addition, the report highlights the Water increase outside your channel In another town of Izabal: The richin the municipality of The amatesas well as the Risks In sectors close to the Bocabarra river. These are part of the study findings Application of Radar Space Technology to detect flood risk areas due to climate variability in the lower river basin of the Motagua River, Izabalprepared by FONACYT with support of Euroclima.
The study emphasizes that, thanks to the analysis of the data, they are observed Environmental effects like the drag of garbage and solid waste from the Motagua Riveras a result of heavy rains and floods.
Melvyn Teni, representative for Central America of the International Committee for the Development of Peoples (CISP)he explains that for 18 months the project for the creation of a Monitoring Center in areas near the Motagua River. For this center they were necessary € 20 thousand(some Q175 thousand) that included equipment, Technical assistance and Inputs.
According to the study, floods in the lower basin of the Motagua River cause damage to the banks and in the coastsin addition to affecting the infrastructurehe agricultural sector and the inhabitants. The report indicates that, within the department of Izabalin the area of Motagua River Valleyeffects are observed due to Seasonal rainswhich are aggravated with Extreme events as depressions, Tropical storms and Hurricanes. These areas present Soil saturation and conditions of bad drainage.
Following the monitoring, it is also expected to impact the lower part from the Motagua River, especially in the conservation and the management of its resources. Murielle Gurtner, director of the Euroclima program Biodiversity and ecosystemspoints out that the monitoring center is relevant to know the state of conservation of the Natural resourcesas well as the pollution that occurs in the basin.
Floods and its effects
Each year, the report ensures that Izabal presents floods, primarily in communities close to banks and the bocabarra of the Motagua River. Around this river, there is an area flooded with 29 thousand 470 hectares, the study sentences. Among the outstanding effects, is the deterioration of infrastructure, health, agriculture and Drag of solid waste and garbage from the river.
It is also mentioned that the municipality of The amates presents one High runoff – water levels that overflow the riverbed -, which affects the entire Baja Basin of the Motagua Rivergenerating threat and vulnerability in case of storms either Hurricanes.
According to the study, they were established 19 control points In regions of the Quetzalito, La Bocabarra del Río, Los Tenles, Las Vegas, holders, bridge/border, La Palmilla, Morales, Jimeritos, Corrientes, Cocoa and Chachagualía.
In this way, the report determined that in the areas of the Baja Basin of the Motagua River There is one Climate variability that impacts directly, generating Extreme events as Hurricanes and increasing the Frequency and intensity of the rains, which causes the river growth and the increase in soil moisture. These factors, together with the sea level risemake the regions of the lower Motagua basin more vulnerable to floods.
Need for governance
The study highlights the Importance of governance in flood -prone areas, such as Baja Basin of the Motagua River: “Informed decision making is crucial to ensure that the measures taken to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climatic variability.”
In addition, the report indicates that the Multiple actors participation In governance to ensure that decisions reflect interests and needs of the Vulnerable communities.
It also mentions that this investigation allows Integration of local and technical knowledgewhich can support the Risk analysis and improve the response capacity of the disaster sectors.
“A collaborative approach to governance promotes shared responsibility and implementation of more effective and sustainable solutions,” says the study, adding that, from a Joint governanceit will be possible to face the Challenges of flood areas and others environmental problems.
A new data center
He Data centeraccording to Melvyn Teni, it was made together with the University of San Carloswhich has facilities in the sector.
From the funds granted by Euroclimaa Monitoring room And the researchers of the University in the use of the satellite system Copernicus To monitor the Waters and the Endangered species sighting. According to Teni, the control center is used to supervise the deterioration and the maintenance of forest covers close to Motagua River.
“At the beginning it was for monitor biodiversity and The growth of agropastoral systems that have been established in the area. Now, the university is asking you to generate other types of information, for example, about floods susceptible to flood To know Where to sow and Establish crops”, Explained Teni.
According to Gurtner, the project is already active performing monitoring work. For its part, María Emma Orejudo He pointed out that one of the main points for the development of a roadmap is to have a diagnosis updated on him Current river status.