SAN SALVADOR: Tropical Storm Pilar continues to cause damage in Central American countries as authorities in El Salvador have reported two deaths linked to heavy rains and strong winds, Western media reported on Monday.
Pilar, with winds of up to 50 miles (85 kilometers) per hour, is likely to make landfall on Tuesday, threatening areas of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua according to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC).
The NHC while warning of heavy rainfall and flash flooding said further strengthening is expected during the next day or so, and Pilar could reach near hurricane strength on Tuesday.
State of emergency declared
Meanwhile a state of emergency has been declared in El Salvador as heavy rains started lashing the coast, allowing for the activation of emergency services and funding for disaster response.
According to local authorities a 24-year-old man and a 57-year-old woman had died after being swept away in strong river currents 200 km (124 miles) near San Salvador.
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El Salvador has a population of 6.6 million, and about 90 percent of its territory is prone to floods, landslides and earthquakes.
Civil protection authorities have established 120 shelters across the country.
Last year, El Salvador was hit by Tropical Storm Julia, which killed 10 people and caused huge economic losses.
Pilar’s is hitting the country on the 25th anniversary of the Atlantic Hurricane Mitch, which killed 9,000 in the region.
Nicaragua has also warned its fishermen to be on alert, while Guatemala’s national disaster agency has warned citizens of flash floods and landslides.
President of Honduras Xiomara Castro has also put public services on high alert where the capital Tegucigalpa is at risk of landslides.
