Guatemalan Sites Damaged After Severe Weather
We have received word from the UNESCO World Heritage Center that sacred sites in Guatemala have been seriously impacted by the recent tropical storm. Severe torrential rain has resulted in flooding and mudslides across much of Guatemala, causing death, destruction and the evacuation of thousands of people. Tropical Storm Agatha, the first of the Pacific hurricane season, made landfall on 29 May 2010 in Guatemala and left much of Central America covered in mud and muck.
Quirigua Glyphic Rock
The Archaeological Park and Ruins of Quirigua is the World Heritage site that has been the most affected. The Motagua River, which crosses the Motagua Valley, has more than doubled in size as a result of tropical storm Agatha. The Archaeological Park has been left covered in mud and water.
Quirigua Stele Glyph Detail
Tikal National Park, another World Heritage site, has not been severely impacted by the flooding.
Mayan Temple at Tikal
The World Heritage Center and the UNESCO Office in Guatemala are working in close cooperation with the Government of Guatemala to assist local and national authorities in dealing with the crisis and the restoration of damaged historic sites.