The General Directorate of Civil Protection rescinds the STRATIFIED ALERT AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL: ORANGE ALERT IN THE COASTAL STRIP, MOUNTAIN CHAIN AND METROPOLITAN AREA OF SAN SALVADOR; AND YELLOW ALERT IN THE REST OF THE COUNTRY
DUE TO REMNANTS OF TROPICAL DEPRESSION SARA, issued on November 18, 2024. This alert is without effect, since the atmospheric conditions that generated rain have ceased.
Therefore, a GREEN ALERT is issued FOR THE ENTRY OF NORTH WINDS, in accordance with Section 2 of Article 57 of the Regulations of the Law on Civil Protection, Prevention and Mitigation of Disasters.
This Alert is based on Special Meteorological Report No. 2 issued by the General Directorate of the Threat Observatory of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) on November 20, 2024 at 2:42 p.m., which refers to that: “Northerly winds will enter from
Wednesday, November 20 until Sunday, November 24. Wind intensities will range from 10 to 25 kilometers per hour with occasional gusts varying between 30 to 60 kilometers per hour, being more notable between Thursday, November 21 and Friday, November 22 in high areas. Specifically, the winds
They could be higher in sectors whose terrain is favorable for additional wind acceleration.
The minimum morning temperatures will be noticeable decreased on Saturday the 23rd, Sunday the 24th and Monday the 25th of November in several sectors of the country with emphasis on high areas. The range of minimum temperatures in high areas will be between 4 and 14 degrees Celsius, in interior valleys between 16 and 19 degrees Celsius, and in coastal areas between 21 and 23 degrees Celsius. It is worth mentioning that the presence of wind can generate a specific reduction in the thermal sensation at any time of the day. It is possible that there will be some isolated rain or shower for this Thursday, November 21, and the rest of the days it will not happen.
It will rain.” Regarding these conditions, the authorities that are part of the National System of
Civil Protection, be alert to respond to any eventuality.
Each Departmental Commission and Municipal Civil Protection Commission must present a closure report on the rainy situation generated by tropical depression Sara, sending a certified copy of the final report to the National Emergency Operations Center, within a period of no more than
five business days, in accordance with the provisions of article 33 and 36 of the Regulations for the Operation of the Commissions of the National System for Civil Protection, Prevention and Mitigation of Disasters.
Regarding the Green Alert, it is recommended to the Departmental, Municipal and Communal Civil Protection Commissions:
* Work together with municipal mayors to guarantee the protection of their population from winds and low temperatures.
* Take appropriate preventive measures, such as diagnosing and signaling danger areas due to falling rocks, power lines, branches and trees, billboards and other potentially dangerous objects.
* Keep the National Monitoring Center informed and also request support when its response capacity exceeds its resources.
For the general population it is recommended:
* Avoid burning dry weeds with special care in large areas of land, as in the case of farmers, who must look for alternatives to the use of fire for land preparation and stubble removal.
* Avoid making campfires, cooking with firewood outdoors or burning trash, especially when there are gusty wind conditions. When you suspect or detect a fire outbreak, inform the corresponding response institutions as soon as possible.
* Check and intervene in potential danger areas in and around homes, for example, unstable or unsecured windows, roofs or sheets and branches, trees and billboards that are prone to detaching or falling.
* Dress appropriately for winds and low temperatures, especially people with respiratory diseases, children and older adults.
* Maritime and air navigation, artisanal and sport fishing are recommended to evaluate the atmospheric and oceanographic conditions before carrying out their activities, and it is recommended to take caution due to possible strong winds in deep waters.
* Be attentive to official information, disseminated by the National Civil Protection System in order to consider the corresponding indications, and inform the competent response institutions about any incident as soon as possible.
The General Directorate of Civil Protection remains constantly vigilant, developing measures for the prevention and mitigation of disasters.
The media are requested to disseminate this GREEN ALERT widely and
enough.
November 21, 202
What steps should residents in El Salvador take in response to the recent weather alerts from the General Directorate of Civil Protection?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Meteorology Expert Regarding Recent Alerts in El Salvador
Editor: Good afternoon, and welcome to this special segment of Time.news. Today, we have Dr. Luis Morales, a meteorology expert and consultant for the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources in El Salvador. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Morales!
Dr. Morales: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here!
Editor: Let’s dive right into it. Recently, the General Directorate of Civil Protection issued a series of alerts due to the remnants of Tropical Depression Sara. Can you break down what the recent alerts were, and what they signify for the citizens of El Salvador?
Dr. Morales: Certainly. Initially, there was a stratified alert declared at the national level, where an orange alert was issued for the coastal strip, mountain chain, and the metropolitan area of San Salvador due to the potential impact of the tropical depression. However, this alert has now been rescinded as the rain-generating conditions have ceased. We currently have a green alert issued for the entry of northerly winds, which could create some challenges as well.
Editor: Interesting! So, the situation seems to have improved with the cessation of the rain. But now, could you elaborate on the expected northerly winds and their potential impacts, especially in those high areas?
Dr. Morales: Yes, the forecast indicates that northerly winds will be prevalent from Wednesday, November 20, until Sunday, November 24. Wind speeds are expected to range from 10 to 25 kilometers per hour with occasional gusts of 30 to 60 kilometers per hour, particularly in higher elevations. These winds can lead to colder temperatures, which is especially important for public safety, as the thermal sensation can drop significantly, causing potential health issues if people are not prepared.
Editor: This definitely sounds concerning given how local populations might not expect such a drop in temperatures. Speaking of which, what should residents in these affected areas do to brace for these conditions?
Dr. Morales: Residents should prepare for a notable decrease in temperatures, particularly in high-altitude regions where it may drop to as low as 4 to 14 degrees Celsius. It’s critical that they dress warmly, secure any loose items outside that could be blown away, and be vigilant about potential falling branches or debris as winds pick up. We recommend staying informed through local news and weather updates, and if there is any need for help, reaching out to local authorities is crucial.
Editor: That’s great advice. Additionally, there were recommendations for the Municipal and Communal Civil Protection Commissions regarding preventive measures. Can you summarize what those entail?
Dr. Morales: Absolutely. The recommended actions include working closely with municipal mayors to ensure community safety against the winds and low temperatures, as well as conducting assessments of danger areas susceptible to falling rocks, power lines, or other hazardous materials. It’s also important for these commissions to keep the National Monitoring Center informed and request assistance whenever necessary.
Editor: Communication with local authorities seems vital in these situations. How can the general public stay engaged and informed about ongoing developments?
Dr. Morales: The public can follow updates through the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources’ official channels, local news outlets, and social media accounts dedicated to weather forecasts and civil protection. Community meetings and alerts through local municipal offices can also be effective ways to stay informed.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Morales, for your insights today! It’s crucial for our audience to understand these evolving weather conditions and the steps they can take to ensure their safety.
Dr. Morales: Thank you for having me. I encourage everyone to stay safe and informed.
Editor: And to our viewers, remember to stay tuned to Time.news for any further updates regarding El Salvador and other global weather news. Until next time, stay alert and prepared!