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GLIDE Record
(14 of 5975)
Event:
AC Tech. Disaster
Number:
2015-000084
Country:
GTM Guatemala
Location:
Sayaxché
Date (YMD):
2015-6-10
Time:
Duration:
Magnitude:
Information Source:
IFRC
Comments:
According to National Risk Reduction Coordinating Center (CONRED) reports, the municipality of Sayaxché in the Department of Petén has been experiencing heavy rains since May. In June oxidation ponds of an oil producer in the area overflowed, contaminating the La Pasión River. Results of the first water samples taken by the Toxicology Laboratory at the University of San Carlos in Guatemala were obtained June 10, which indicated the presence of an organophosphorus pesticide (Malathion). This has caused the massive death of fish and other aquatic animal species in the ecosystem, and is considered the most serious environmental problem of its kind in the national territory . On June 12 the Governor of Petén declared an Orange Alert for the entire Department and that same day the Mayor of Sayaxché declared a Red Alert. These are still in place in order to prioritize emergency care. As a precautionary measure authorities have prohibited the use and consumption of water from the river, therefore, people need water for consumption given that 48% of families get their water supply directly from the La Pasión River.
Aproximate Location::
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