Though I love to share my great experiences, triumphs, and the daily wonderment of the Peace Corps with you through my blog, My heart is too heavy this week. Guatemala has been devastated by Mother Nature yet again the past few days and over the weekend.
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| MudSlide buries a bus, killing atleast 12 people =( |
Back In May, we were hit with Tropical Storm Agatha, who's rain, floods, mudslides and even that crazy sinkhole I'm sure you all remember, left 165 people dead. This week the terrential rain has caused floods and crazy mudslides about the country. It really is so scary, The picture of the bus buried in the mud is a international highway which we all ride quite frequently.
According to the LA Times i just read on a friend's facebook post, the death toll has reached about 45, and around 100 more are presumed missing. Official say "Hope is Fading" to find any survivors trapped in the mud.
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| Mourners grieve their loved ones |
Can you imagine the heartbreak? look at these people mourn their loved one, this picture makes me cry everytime i look at it. Their Pain is just tangible.
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| rescue workers work to retrieve those left trapped in mudslides |
President Alvaro Colom has declared a State of Emergency and a National Day of Mourning. We as Volunteers are all safe. I am definately safe here in Cabrican, Quetzaltenango, we are in a "standfast" which means we are not to move from our sites, or wherever we are around the country at this point. Some people were out of site when the Standfast was implemented and are stuck wherever they were. It's not so bad to be stuck in site, I can get alot of work done. Although, I talked to my Project Specialist today and she said i was only to be visiting schools in my immediate area, cuz i have to travel on foot up the mountains sometimesand we would obviously rather be safe than sorry...Over the weekend, rescue efforts had to be called off, as the rains continued to fall, endangering the luives of the rescue workers.. but resumed again on I believe, Monday.
"People are waiting for the recovery of the bodies of their friends, family, fatehrs, sons. Really, iut has been a tragic week for our country"
President Colom said on National Radio.
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| Flooding damage caused by terrential rain |
The worst it has been in 60 years, Guatemala's rainy season 2010, has claimed the life of 236 people. Please pray for the families and friends of the victims, also keep in mind floods are destroying homes and businesses as well. Pray for warmth and shelter for all the people of Guatemala and the continued safetly of us Volunteers and PC staff
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