Coastal Hazards

Guatemala’s Caribbean coast is extremely susceptible to hurricanes and other tropical storms. In Guatemala, communities of the Pacific coast have suffered in previous years from the continuous flooding in low coastal zones, destroying all infrastructure. The National Policy for the Integrated Management of Marina Coastal Zones has a strict agenda for integrated management of the hydro-graphic basins and coastal regions. The coastal regions of Guatemala are known as one to endure heavy impacts of the inadequate management of the high hydro-graphic basins. Government and non-government organizations and institutions were immediately incorporated after the elaboration of the IMMCZ. Along with the coastal zone management strategies, there are also further proposals and actions being set into place. According to research, future climate change has the ability to affect climate variability as well as storm or tidal surges, tropical cyclones, and hurricanes. Sometimes following these natural hazards are flooding of the coast, saltwater intrusion into the fresh water systems, erosion, damaged soils, and coastal infrastructure disasters.

The Guatemalan Government took significant steps towards a more proactive approach to disaster risk management and comprehensive disaster risk reduction and financing strategies. These efforts culminated in the adoption of the 2009-2011 National Program for Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (NPDPM). 

 

Marina Coastal Awareness

Central America's Major Vulnerability 

References: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gt.html

http://www.cepal.org/publicaciones/xml/5/15505/L370-1-EN.pdf

http://www.unfalumni.org/guatemala-climate-change-and-world-oceans-day-2014/
http://www.worldbank.org/en/results/2013/10/08/promoting-proactive-disaster-risk-management-in-Guatemala

Extreme Weather in Guatemala

Despite the warnings of Conred and Insivumeh concerning strong winds and an abrupt temperature drop, several groups of adventurers were walking on the slopes of the Acatenango volcano.

On January 8, 12 disparitions were reported by rescue services. On January 9, Conred announced the death of 6 people from hypothermia, and several people injured, transferred to hospitals.

GUATEMALA CITY – Guatemala is one of the top 10 countries most affected by climate change and one of the most vulnerable to natural disasters, according to the Global Climate Risk Index.

The Central American nation’s geographical position, straddling three tectonic plates and two oceans, leaves it prone to tropical storms, droughts, hurricanes and earthquakes, which have been occurring with increasing frequency over the past decade.

In 2005, Hurricane Stan swept through Guatemala leaving more than 1,500 people dead, 500,000 victims and damages estimated at $989 million.

In 2010, Pacaya Volcano erupted, scattering volcanic ash and debris across Guatemala City, bringing economic life in the capital of 1.5 million residents to a standstill. Two days later, Tropical Storm Agatha hit, leaving an equally expensive cleanup operation.

References: http://strangesounds.org/2017/01/dead-at-acatenango-volcano-extreme-weather-guatemala-video.html

http://www.ticotimes.net/2013/08/13/guatemala-adapting-to-climate-change