Giant Sinkholes Swallow Parts of Guatemala City

A Triple Whammy for Guatemala City

At least 178 people have been killed and many others reported missing as a result of flooding, mudslides and landslides triggered by torrential rains from tropical storm Agatha, and compounded by the huge amount of volcanic ash from Pacaya volcano eruption, as giant sinkholes swallow parts of Guatemala City.

A giant sinkhole caused by the torrential rains from TS Agatha swallows a section of Guatemala City May 31, 2010. Source: Casa Presidencial handout (via Reuters).

Flooding has destroyed as many as 18 major road bridges and up to 60 smaller footbridges throughout the country, hampering aid efforts.

Flooding in Retalhuleu, Guatemala, caused by Tropical Storm Agatha  May 30, 2010. Source: Casa Presidencial handout (via Reuters).

“We’ve gone several days now without aid from the government and we don’t have enough water and food,” said a caller to Guatemalan radio from the town of Huehuetenango in the western highlands.

“At least 152 people were killed in Guatemala, either crushed in their homes or swept away by swollen rivers, and 100 others were missing, according to the government. Twelve people were killed in El Salvador and 14 in Honduras.” A report said.

Coffee trees in Guatemala could be severely affected as a result of the rain. And FEWW Moderators forecast more adverse weather and conditions in the region …

Related Links:

• 2010 Disasters

Pacaya Erupts, Covers Guatemala City with Ash

Pacaya Volcano Erupts, Prompting the Authorities to Close Down Guatemala’s International Airport

Pacaya volcano, located about 25 kilometers south of the Guatemalan capital, erupted late Thursday local time depositing as much as 8 cm of ash over parts of the city.

The authorities closed down La Aurora international airport until further notice.

The closest villages to the volcano have been evacuated.

Map of Volcanoes. Background Map: University of Michigan. Designed and enhanced by Fire Earth Blog. Click image to enlarge.

The 2,552-meter Pacaya volcano is in Group F on the above diagram.

The disaster could be exacerbated by heavy rains that would trigger flash floods causing deadly lahars and mudslides.

Major Volcanoes of Guatemala

Casualties and Damage:

Two people have been killed, and 59 others injured so far, with three children reported as missing.

At least 100 homes have been destroyed and many other damaged, as more reports come in. About 2,000 people have been evacuated.

Related Links:

• Volcanoes [FEWW Links]
• Earthquakes

• Volcano Watch Weekly [6 May 2009]