Heavy rains in countries like El Salvador and Guatemala have triggered widespread flooding and landslides, resulting in multiple fatalities. Authorities are actively engaged in evacuation and rescue operations throughout the affected regions.

Heavy rains led to flooding and landslides across Central America on Monday, resulting in fatalities in El Salvador and Guatemala.

Social media videos depicted flooded streets, stranded families and animals atop vehicles, and rescue operations in action.

El Salvador was severely affected, with at least five casualties reported in a landslide in Tacuba's western district. Two others died in a separate vehicle accident. President Nayib Bukele announced his request to Congress for a federal holiday on Tuesday.

Civil defense chief Luis Amaya reported four deaths in El Salvador from floods and landslides between Friday and Sunday, emphasizing safety precautions during a press conference.

The government declared a state of emergency and set up shelters nationwide. With continued rainfall expected, schools in El Salvador will remain closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, while Guatemalan authorities extended school closures until Thursday.

In Guatemala, authorities confirmed fatalities when a wall collapsed in Chacaya village, killing a man and a woman.

Meanwhile, in Ecuador's Tungurahua province, a landslide on a highway claimed seven lives and left several others injured on Monday.

Honduras initiated evacuations as around 5,000 people are expected to be affected by the ongoing rains.

Annually, Central America witnesses numerous fatalities due to heavy rains. The current conditions are exacerbated by low pressure systems along Guatemala's western coast and in the Gulf of Mexico, intensifying rainfall.

As the hurricane season begins in both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, the Atlantic, influenced by the La Nina weather pattern and warmer waters, is particularly vulnerable to heavy rainfall.