Tropical Storm Sara Devastates Honduras, Leaving Two Dead and Over 120,000 Homeless
Tropical Storm Sara has wreaked havoc in Honduras, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and displacing more than 120,000 people, according to reports from local authorities. The storm, which initially passed through Belize, has since weakened to a tropical depression but continues to pose a significant threat as it disintegrates southwest of Campeche, Mexico. The Honduran government has declared a state of emergency as the storm's aftermath leaves nearly 1,800 towns isolated and widespread destruction in its wake.
The storm's impact has been particularly severe in Honduras, where at least 200 homes were destroyed and approximately 3,200 were damaged. Infrastructure has also suffered, with 11 bridges destroyed and 26 damaged, alongside extensive damage to roads and farmland. The departments of Bay Islands, Atlantida, Colon, Yoro, Gracias a Dios, Valle, Choluteca, and Cortes are currently under red alert as authorities monitor rising water levels, particularly in the Choluteca River.
In Tegucigalpa, the capital, emergency services have been deployed to evacuate residents at risk from flooding. General Roosevelt Leonel Hernández Aguilar, head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces, emphasized the importance of timely evacuations and monitoring of the river's boundaries. The Honduran government has also reported that four individuals are injured, one person is missing, and over 7,600 have been rescued from affected areas.
As the storm continues to move inland, heavy rains are expected to persist across Central America, with warnings issued for the Caribbean coast of Guatemala and parts of Mexico. The U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa has announced plans to provide aid to the affected regions, highlighting the need for immediate assistance in the wake of this natural disaster.
