Authorities across Central America have issued alerts as Tropical Storm Cristina moves toward the region, bringing the threat of heavy rainfall, flooding, landslides, and coastal impacts.
In El Salvador, schools have been closed for Tuesday and Wednesday as officials prepare for severe weather conditions. Civil protection authorities have set up 180 shelters to accommodate residents if needed.
Guatemalan officials have warned that coastal areas, the central highlands, and eastern valleys are expected to receive the most significant rainfall.
In Nicaragua, Co-President Rosario Murillo urged people to avoid coastal regions as heavy rains continue to intensify. Meanwhile, emergency management agencies in Honduras have issued alerts across nine regions.
According to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Cristina was approaching the Central American coastline early Tuesday with sustained winds of 65 kilometres per hour. The storm is moving north at around 6 kilometres per hour.
Forecasters expect widespread rainfall of 10 to 20 centimetres, with some coastal areas of Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala potentially receiving up to 30 centimetres of rain through Thursday morning.
Officials continue to monitor the storm closely as preparations remain underway across the region.
