© ConredFloods in Morales, Izabal Guatemala, January, 2018
Heavy rainfall in Guatemala since 26 January has caused flooding and landslides in the departments of Baja Verapaz, Petén, Alta Verapaz, Quiché and Izabal, according to the country's disaster agency, Conred.
Conred reported landslides in San Jerónimo and Salamá in Baja Verapaz department, one in the municipality of Chajul, Quiché department, Cobán in Alta Verapaz and two in Morales in Izabal department. No fatalities or injuries have been reported.
River levels have increased after the heavy rain, including the San Francisco and San Marcos rivers in Izabal, according to Conred. Flooding has affected parts of Morales, Livingston and Puerto Barrios, which is the worst hit. Almost 90 homes have been damaged.
Flooding has blocked roads in Quiché and left some communities in the north of the province isolated.
Comment: Broome residents and business owners say wind and rain have exceeded the category two Cyclone Hilda and category one Cyclone Joyce which both hit the Kimberley coast in the past month. As well as record rainfall the tropical low brought winds of 100 kilometres per hour - with gusts of up to 125kph. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the tourist town was hit with more than double its average January rainfall in a 22-hour period.