Central America on alert as Tropical Storm Cristina nears coast

San Salvador: Four Central American countries were on alert on Tuesday as Tropical Storm Cristina moved closer, bringing the threat of heavy rainfall and storm surges.

In El Salvador, the education ministry suspended classes at schools and universities for Tuesday and Wednesday because of the risk of landslides, flooding and related dangers. In La Libertad, about 35 kilometres south of the capital San Salvador, fishermen were told to stay in port as strong waves battered the shoreline. A number of seafront businesses also closed ahead of the storm, including dozens of shops and the seafood market.

El Salvador civil protection director Luis Alonso Amaya said 180 shelters had been prepared across the country in anticipation of heavy rain over the next three days.

In Guatemala, authorities said the heaviest rain was expected along the coast, in the central Altiplano region and in the valleys of eastern Guatemala. In Nicaragua, co-president Rosario Murillo urged residents to avoid coastal areas as heavy rains that began intensifying on Sunday continued. Honduras also issued alerts, with emergency management authorities placing nine regions under warning.