ReliefWeb

On 23 May four Departments of Guatemala were affected by heavy rain, floods and mudslides that resulted in widespread damage. According to the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction, more than 7,000 people have been affected, almost 20 houses damaged as well as roads and a highway across the Departments of Retalhuleu, Suchitepéquez, Quetzaltenango and Alta Verapaz. On 25-25 May, moderate rain with localized thunderstorms is forecast across most parts of the country. (ECHO, 25 May 2022)

On 3 June, the Guatemala National Coordination System for Disaster Reduction (CONRED per its acronym in Spanish), reported between 2-3 June 7 incidents related to the rainy season were reported in the departments of Guatemala, Quetzaltenango, San Marcos, Sololá, Izabal, Jalapa, and Petén affecting approximately 37,151 people. Damage Assessments and Needs Analysis (EDAN per its acronym in Spanish) are ongoing. In total, since the beginning of the rainy season, 189 incidents were reported causing damage to 716 houses and affecting 302,085 people. (PAHO, 7 Jun 2022)

As of 19 June, in relation to a nearby low-pressure system and tropical depression Celia in the Pacific, more than 28,000 people across Guatemala have been affected, bringing the number of people affected during the rainy season up to more than 668,200. This represents a 97 per cent increase in the number of people affected compared to 2021 rainy season totals reported on 17 June 2021, indicating that the current season is affecting nearly twice as many people so far in 2022. The effects of the activity over the Pacific have also affected El Salvador, where authorities report at least 8 deaths amid several overflowing rivers. Humanitarian teams in both countries continue monitoring developments. (OCHA, 20 Jun 2022)

The number of affected people is increasing since the beginning of the rainy season (mid-April), which caused floods, triggered landslides and resulted in casualties and damage. According to the National Coordination for Disaster Reduction (CONRED), more than 6,200 people have been evacuated, almost 1,550,000 people affected, and more than 3,000 houses damaged. As of 24 June, CONRED provided emergency assistance for more than 15,000 people. For the next 24 hours, moderate rain with localized thunderstorms is forecast over most parts of the country. (ECHO, 28 Jun 2022)

On 15 July, according to the Guatemala National Coordination System for Disaster Reduction (CONRED per its acronym in Spanish) reported that in the last 24 hours, 5 different incidents affecting 5,438 persons in Chimaltenango, Petén, Quiché, Sololá, and Suchitepéquez were reported. The daily 2022 Rainy Season report indicates there were 1,028 related events reported, and 1,864,806 people were affected 7,368 people were evacuated, 884 people were sheltered, 8 people were injured, 4 people are missing, and there were 24 deaths. Additionally, a total of 3,490 homes reported damage and 7,8200 persons remain at risk. (PAHO, 15 Jul 2022)

On 18 August, the Guatemala National Coordination System for Disaster Reduction (CONRED per its acronym in Spanish), provided an update about the effects of the rainy season in the country. To date 1,325 incidents related to heavy rains have been reported. Between 1 April to 18 August 2022, 2,125,457 people have been affected and 31 deaths were reported. In total, 345 houses were severely damaged. In addition, 69 bridges, 358 roads, and 163 schools were affected. (PAHO, 19 Aug 2022)

Following the 2022 rainy season that has been affecting several departments of Guatemala, the number of casualties and the affected people has been increasing. According to media reports, 38 people have died (most of them in the Alta Verapaz Department with ten fatalities), 15 people are still missing, five have been injured, and 2.3 million have been affected. For the next 24 hours, moderate to heavy rain is forecast over most parts of the country, particularly over the southern Departments. (ECHO, 1 Sep 2022)

Heavy rainfall and strong winds have been affecting most of the country since the beginning of the rainy season (mid-April) causing floods, landslides and a number of severe weather-related incidents that have resulted in casualties and damage. The National Coordination for Disaster Reduction (CONRED) and WHO PAHO report, as of 11 September, 42 fatalities, six people still missing, 23 injured people, 13,120 evacuated people (of which over 2,200 in shelters) and a total of more than 2,890,000 affected people across all Departments of the Country. Around 34,300 people have received assistance by CONRED. The worst affected Department is Alta Verapaz with 10 fatalities. In addition, CONRED reports 6,735 damaged houses, 169 damaged schools and 41 destroyed bridges across the country. (ECHO, 12 Sep 2022)

Over the past ten days, several Departments of Guatemala have been affected by heavy rain that caused landslides, floods and severe weather-related incidents leading to casualties and damage. The National Coordination for Disaster Reduction (CONRED) reports, as of 26 September, two fatalities, two missing people, 1,250 evacuated people, and almost 640,000 affected. (ECHO, 27 Sep 2022)