DISASTER DEJA VU
Honduras This Week
http://www.marrder.com
4 October 1999

by Michael Coleman

TEGUCIGALPA - Less than one month before the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Mitch, Honduras is in the midst of yet another disaster.

Heavy rains have caused widespread flooding and landslides in the central and western regions of the country, forcing thousands of people from their homes and killing at least 16. President Carlos Flores declared a state of emergency on Sept. 18 and soon after ordered the largest dam in the country, "El Cajón" to release some water after levels had gotten dangerously high.

This only added to the deluge and a government advisory asked communities built around the dam and downstream from the River Ulua to evacuate or they would "... run unnecessary risks and put their lives in danger." The nearby cities of El Progreso and La Lima have been two of the hardest hit in the country.

As of noon Friday (Oct. 1), 11,516 people have been evacuated, 85 homes have been destroyed and 986 damaged. Eleven bridges have been destroyed, nine damaged, and 21 roadways have been affected by the flooding.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) reported the loss of two schools and that 730 hectares of banana fields and 120 hectares of sugar cane have been flooded. USAID also announced last Tuesday that they would be sending $25,000 worth of emergency assistance for construction materials and other necessities for flood victims. Flooding has been made worse by poor drainage and sewage systems and by huge dams formed from garbage left in and around the nation's waterways. An additional 50 communities are isolated and are under the constant threat of flooding or landslides.

The nation's newspapers are filled with pictures of the flooding and there is an eerie familiarity as less than 11 months ago Honduras was facing the brunt of the third worst hurricane in history. In fact, much of the flood plain is made up of homes and crops and other infrastructure meant to replace what was lost during Mitch. The rains are expected to continue through the month of October.