International

Salvadoran Congress decrees emergency due to storm Pilar

Photo: @PROCIVILSV

October 30 |

The Congress of El Salvador declared on Sunday a state of emergency throughout the country in view of the imminent arrival of tropical storm Pilar from the Pacific Ocean, expected for next Tuesday.

“Declare a state of national emergency, throughout the territory of the republic for a period of 15 days”, states the decree that allows activating different institutions and mobilizing funds to address eventualities caused by the tropical storm.

Hours before, the General Directorate of Civil Protection of El Salvador decided to declare a red alert due to the proximity of storm Pilar, which could cause heavy rains, strong winds and high tides.

The governmental entity informed Sunday night that it leaves without effect the orange alert established for the Pacific coastal zone of the Central American country and the Metropolitan Area of San Salvador, and the yellow alert for the rest of the country.

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According to the Observatory of Threats of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN), the storm Pilar is approaching the southwest coast of El Salvador and already brings some rain in certain parts of the country, which allows predicting the extension and impact of the meteor.

Authorities have come to coordinate civil and economic protection efforts, while advising the population to travel with caution on public roads, drive carefully at night and in the rain, and refrain from crossing rivers, streams, canals or “any stream of water that is generated during a storm”.

The Ministry of Education (Mined) reported the suspension until next Wednesday, November 1, of all on-site and virtual classes, both in the public and private sectors, as well as academic activities of all kinds, including for public and private higher education institutions.

So far, no casualties or material damages have been reported due to the rains in the last hours, especially in the east and west of El Salvador.

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Related Topics:Central America El Salvador

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