The aftermath of a landslide in San Marcos
© CONREDThe aftermath of a landslide in San Marcos La Laguna, Sololá Department, Guatemala, October 2020.
At least 4 people have died after a landslide struck in Sololá Department in the west of Guatemala.

Guatemala's disaster agency CONRED said that the landslide struck in the village of San Marcos La Laguna late on 06 October. Days of heavy rain had destabilised the ground on slopes surrounding the village, triggering a landslide that pushed a boulder measuring 3 metres by 5 metres onto houses below.

At least 8 houses were completely destroyed and a further 44 were damaged or considered at risk. CONRED said that 10 people were injured and a total of 60 people affected, with 263 considered at risk.

Heavy rain in the country has also caused some flooding, although no fatalities were reported. Floods severely damage roads in Taxisco, Santa Rosa Department, and swamped streets of Mazatenango in Suchitepéquez Department.



A huge boulder fell onto houses after a landslide
© CONREDA huge boulder fell onto houses after a landslide in San Marcos La Laguna, Sololá Department, Guatemala, October 2020.
Instituto Nacional de Sismología, Vulcanología, Meteorología e Hidrología (INSIVUMEH) said Mazatennango recorded 94.4mm of rain in 24 hours to 06 October. INSIVUMEH also reported rivers in at least 4 locations were above maximum levels, as of 07 October.

Neighbouring countries of Mexico, El Salvador and Honduras have also seen heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Gamma. At least 6 people died in the states of Chiapas and Tabasco in Mexico.

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