At least seven dead in El Salvador from floods

At least seven people have died and hundreds have been moved to makeshift shelters due to the persistent rain across El Salvador since Friday, which has caused flooding and landslides.

Hundreds of families continue to be at risk of losing their homes due to landslides and subsidence in vulnerable areas.

Civil protection authorities have confirmed the deaths of at least seven people, including an eight-year-old boy, following the rains caused by Tropical Storm Amanda.

Civil Protection issued a red alert for the entire country and President Nayib Bukele decreed a State of National Emergency for 15 days due to the havoc caused by the rains and as requested by Interior Minister Mario Duran.

The persistent rain caused flooding in the neighbourhoods and settlements of the Salvadoran capital, causing millions of dollars in damage.

Authorities report that hundreds of families throughout the country have been evacuated after rivers and floods burst their banks.

In a preliminary report from Civil Protection, more than 200 homes have been flooded, 100 trees have been downed, and 10 shelters have been set up in the western part of the country where the storm has hit hardest.

El Salvador in phase III of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which focuses on suspected asymptomatic cases, with those with mild symptoms sent home for a 14-day quarantine.

The country records 2,517 confirmed cases, 46 deaths and 1,040 recovered.