By Deutsche Welle
29 Oct 2023, 11:06 PM EDT
The president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, this Sunday, asked Congress to decree a state of emergency due to the arrival of the tropical depression from the Pacific Ocean 19-E, scheduled in two days.
Bukele announced his request on the social network Twitter), where he requested that the measure be applied “throughout the national territory” and not only in the areas where the impact is expected: the Pacific coast and the capital, San Salvador.
📌#ElObservatorioInforma Strong storms in the departments of Santa Ana, Ahuachapán, Chalatenango and San Miguel. Also, rains are recorded in areas of the El Bálsamo mountain range, Cuscatlán, Cabañas, La Paz, Usulután and north of the AMSS. They move west. pic.twitter.com/MXC6Y2f18g
— Ministry of the Environment (@MedioAmbienteSV) October 29, 2023
Previously, Civil Protection declared an orange alert (level three of four) along the entire coast of the Pacific Ocean and in the capital. This alert was established because “the risk level increases to a 75% probability of causing serious damage,” the source reported.
tropical depression 19-E It is currently in the Pacific Ocean with a displacement of 4 km/hour and a projected trajectory that will impact the coast of El Salvador between October 30 and 31. In addition, it could affect Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua on their Pacific coastlines, according to the United States National Hurricane Center.
“Tropical storm conditions could be possible early Tuesday into Wednesday along parts of the coast of El Salvador,” the forecasts indicated. Also, they point out that “heavy rains are expected from the tropical depression (which) will produce rapid flooding in urban areas along with landslides in high areas of the Pacific coast of Central America.”
The United States National Hurricane Center warned of waves and swells on the Pacific coast that “could endanger life.”
Based on article 24 of the Civil Protection Law, I request the Legislative Assembly to decree a State of Emergency, throughout the national territory, due to the threat of Tropical Storm Pilar.
God with us. pic.twitter.com/nPHENEexEc
— Nayib Bukele (@nayibbukele) October 29, 2023
Given this, the Ministry of Education of El Salvador decreed the suspension of “academic activities” both on the coast and in the metropolitan area of the capital. Likewise, emergency systems were put on alert regarding the need for possible actions, as well as preparation of shelters, stated Civil Protection.
“Artisanal, industrial and sport fishing, as well as recreational activities in rivers, beaches and lakes are temporarily suspended, due to the combination of this system with the presence of spring tides,” the Minister of the Environment, Fernando López, said through X. According to the minister, sustained winds of 55 km/hour are expected.
Keep reading:
- Death toll rises to 48 after devastation by Hurricane Otis in Mexico
- Hurricane Otis: this is how the Acapulco hotels were left inside
- Hurricane Otis leaves destruction and the population incommunicado in Guerrero, Mexico, after impacting as a category 5