Guatemala City, May 31 (IANS/EFE) At least 12 people have been killed as tropical storm Agatha swept through the Pacific coast of Guatemala, officials said Sunday.
The Conred emergency management office said over 60,000 people have been evacuated and more than 3,500 homes damaged. The toll could increase as 22 people are still missing.
Agatha made landfall around 9.30 p.m. Saturday at Tecun Uman city, near the border with Mexico, affecting the provinces of San Marcos, Quetzaltenango, Solola and Chimaltenango.
The storm weakened into a depression, but continues to bring heavy rains along the Pacific coast, officials said.
The weather service said the downgrading of Agatha to a tropical depression ‘means the winds are gradually lessening in velocity’, but noted, ‘heavy to moderate rains will continue’.
–IANS/EFE
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