Insivumeh is analyzing the entire Pinula river basin after intense rains that, since the emergency began on Saturday, October 3, caused houses to collapse in Villa Hermosa and opened the risk of new flooding in San Miguel Petapa. The goal is to anticipate which sectors could suffer overflows or damage from future rainfall, after the scouring of the terrain also left the community's bridge compromised.
The National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (Conred) identified 116 homes with severe damage and 499 properties exposed to new flooding in sectors II and IV of Villa Hermosa I, zone 7 of San Miguel Petapa. The emergency affected 2,763 people, according to evaluations carried out after the river's rise.
The increase in water flow deepened the channel and knocked down several houses located along the riverbank. It also left exposed the only bridge that connects the community with the route out to the capital, a road that provides access to Los Álamos and Boca del Monte.
The National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology (Insivumeh) has now extended the analysis beyond the points where damage is already visible. The institution will study the behavior of the water throughout the basin to detect risk scenarios in areas that have not yet registered any damage.
The water's path from the highlands to the urban sectors
The technicians use models…
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Insivumeh is analyzing the Pinula River basin to anticipate possible flooding in San Miguel Petapa. (Insivumeh)Insivumeh is analyzing the entire Pinula River basin following the intense rains that, since the emergency began on Saturday, October 3, caused the collapse of homes in Villa Hermosa and opened the risk of new flooding in San Miguel Petapa. The goal is to anticipate which sectors could suffer overflows or damage from future rainfall, after the scouring of the terrain also left the community's bridge compromised. The National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (Conred) identified 116 homes with severe damage and 499 properties exposed to new flooding in sectors II and IV of Villa Hermosa I, zone 7 of San Miguel Petapa. The emergency affected 2,763 people, according to evaluations carried out after the river's rise. The increased flow deepened the channel and toppled several houses located along the riverbank. It also left exposed the only bridge that connects the community with the exit toward the capital, a route that provides access to Los Álamos and Boca del Monte. The National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology (Insivumeh) has now extended the analysis beyond the points where damage is already visible. The institution will study the behavior of the water throughout the basin to detect risk scenarios in areas that have not yet registered damage. Insivumeh is analyzing the Pinula River basin to anticipate possible flooding in San Miguel Petapa. (Insivumeh)Technicians use hydrological models and other tools to track the movement of rain from the high areas toward the low areas. The study seeks to establish how the river's flow increases and which areas could face episodes of flooding or overflow. The research takes into account the conditions of the terrain and urban expansion, with houses, streets, and other constructions. These elements modify the natural path of the water and can influence both its accumulation and its movement within the Pinula River basin. The analysis will make it possible to estimate the amount of rain that could fall and determine where the water goes once it falls on the territory. With these results, the competent institutions will be able to have technical elements to guide their actions in response to the risks faced by the families of Villa Hermosa and other communities. The evaluation does not focus solely on the collapsed homes or the threatened bridge. Its scope covers all the sectors connected by the river's natural drainage system, because alterations produced at one point in the basin can affect the accumulation and movement of water in other places. The information will also serve to gauge the conditions that favor new damage. The purpose is to support institutional decisions with technical grounds and to consider the complete functioning of the basin, rather than limiting responses to the sites where damage has already occurred. The first results could be known in the coming weeks, while other components of the work will extend for approximately three months. That period will allow for closer observation of the effects of the rains and the behavior of the water in the analyzed territory. Insivumeh seeks to contribute information for comprehensive solutions that take into account the conditions of the entire basin. The institution aims to identify risks before they materialize in sectors where no collapses, floods, or overflows have yet occurred. The precedent of Villa Hermosa motivated the expansion of the studies. The flooding had already shown that the increase in flow can erode the terrain near homes, alter the channel, and compromise connection infrastructure for the population. The Government of Guatemala maintains this work through the Ministry of Communications, Infrastructure and Housing (CIV) and Insivumeh. Both entities seek to contribute scientific knowledge and technical information to support the decisions of the responsible institutions in the face of a situation that threatens homes, infrastructure, and the safety of the communities settled in the basin.