San Salvador: Four Central American countries braced for impact on Tuesday as Tropical Storm Cristina approached, bringing the threat of heavy rainfall and storm surges. In El Salvador, the education ministry ordered the closure of schools and universities for Tuesday and Wednesday due to risks of landslides, flooding, and other hazards.
Coastal Precautions in El Salvador
Fishermen in La Libertad, located 35 kilometers (20 miles) south of the capital San Salvador, were instructed to remain in port as strong waves lashed the coast. Dozens of seafront shops and the seafood market closed in anticipation of Cristina's arrival. Luis Alonso Amaya, head of El Salvador's civil protection agency, stated that 180 shelters have been set up nationwide to accommodate residents expected to face heavy rainfall over the next three days.
Guatemala and Nicaragua on Alert
In Guatemala, authorities forecasted the heaviest rainfall along the coast, the central Altiplano region, and the valleys of eastern Guatemala. Meanwhile, Nicaraguan co-president Rosario Murillo urged residents to avoid coastal areas due to intensifying rains that began on Sunday. In Honduras, emergency management authorities issued an alert for nine regions, urging preparedness for potential flooding and landslides.
