OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Guatemala - Floods
20 June 2000


Background

- Guatemala has a tropical climate along the "Peten" Lowlands and the
  Caribbean coast, with a more temperate climate in the highlands.
  There are generally two seasons, the wet season from May to October and
  the dry season from November to April. 
- This year the seasonal rains began in the third week of May. 


Disaster Situation

- The rivers Achiguate and Motagua have overflowed and caused damage to
  roads and several villages have become isolated.
- Landslides have occurred in the Huehuetenango region due to the
  rainfall. 
- In the Villanueva municipality, the bridge on the Villalobos river was
  destroyed, which cut off access to the capital. 
- Rainfall in the southern coastal area has been intense causing threat to
  infrastructure. 


Affected Area

- City of Guatemala, regions of Alta Verapaz, Huehuetenango, Escuintla,
  Jalapa, Quiche, Totonicapan y Zacapa. 


Population Affected/Damage

- Sixteen dead, some 700 evacuated ; total number of people affected :
  some 2,500.
- Parts of the road network blocked, and some 400 houses damaged or at
  risk. 


Request for international assistance

- The government of Guatemala has not requested international assistance. 


National response

- On 6 June 2000, President Alfonso Portillo declared a state of "Public
  Calamity" for the entire country . 
- The National Emergency System (CONRED) has been activated to take
  preparedness mesures and to coordinate relief efforts.