Torrential rain in Central America this week that forcedthousands to abandon their homes and trapped many more has killed at least 45people, with Guatemala the worst hit, authorities said on Saturday.
A tropical depression hit the region early on Wednesday,causing flooding, mudslides and lightning strikes in the chain of countriesbetween Mexico and South America. Many areas were cut off as the rain inundatedvillages and clogged roads.
The destructive weather system that bore down from thePacific killed 22 in Guatemala, and nine in Honduras, two of whom were struckby lightning, emergency services said.
Hundreds were stranded on the roofs of their homes inHonduras, especially in the southern regions of Choluteca and Valle, localemergency officials said.
In El Salvador, where seven people were killed, PresidentMauricio Funes declared a state of emergency. At least seven others died andthousands more were evacuated in Nicaragua.
No deaths were reported in Costa Rica, although dozens offamilies were evacuated from communities on the Pacific coast and the capital,San Jose.
Strong rain continued to fall in parts of Honduras andGuatemala on Saturday, while precipitation was easing in Nicaragua, El Salvadorand Costa Rica.
At least four people also died in Mexico earlier in the weekwhen Category 2 Hurricane Jova struck from the Pacific, forcing the country'sbusiest port to close. The main cargo port of Manzanillo later reopened.