A severe storm system has brought widespread destruction and death to Central America, with 13 people killed in El Salvador and Guatemala due to flooding and landslides.

In El Salvador, the hardest hit country, five people died on Monday in a devastating landslide in the western district of Tacuba, Ahuachapan department. This follows two fatalities on Sunday when a tree and a pole fell on a car traveling on a highway in the capital.

Additionally, four people were killed between Friday and Sunday due to flooding and landslides.

The Salvadoran government has declared a state of emergency to facilitate the mobilization of resources, and President Nayib Bukele has declared Tuesday a federal holiday to minimize commutes and reduce the risk of further tragedies.

Guatemala has also been severely affected, with two fatalities reported on Sunday in the village of Chacaya, Sacapulas municipality, when a collapsed wall buried a 59-year-old woman and a 68-year-old man.

The rainy season is a recurring problem in Central America, claiming dozens to hundreds of lives each year.

The region’s infrastructure is often left severely damaged, causing widespread destruction and displacement.

In Ecuador, the death toll from a landslide has risen to seven, with 22 others injured. The landslide was triggered by heavy rains in the tourist province of Tungurahua in southern Ecuador.

As the situation continues to unfold, authorities are working tirelessly to respond to the crisis.

The governments of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Ecuador must prioritize disaster preparedness and response to mitigate the impact of these devastating events and protect their citizens.