Alert for Tropical Storm Alberto: Heavy rains and risk of landslides in El Salvador.

The National Hurricane Center has confirmed that potential tropical cyclone One has intensified and become Tropical Storm Alberto, which is slowly moving over the Gulf of Mexico and is generating influences on the seasonal rains for the coming days. Alberto is moving westward over the Gulf of Mexico, with heavy rains, coastal flooding, and gusty winds forecasted along the coasts of Texas and the northeastern coast of Mexico south of the mouth of the Rio Grande to Tecolutla, with sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (km/h). In the same area where Tropical Storm Alberto is located, the formation of a new low-pressure system is expected, with a 0% chance of cyclonic development in 48 hours and a 30% chance in the next 7 days. This system will continue to favor the entry of abundant moisture from the Pacific Ocean into Salvadoran territory, maintaining the seasonal weather over El Salvador with intermittent, persistent, and variable intensity rains, anticipating the highest accumulations on the coastal and volcanic mountain range. The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) has indicated that the seasonal weather is expected to continue over the country on Thursday, with cloudy skies and variable intensity rains, particularly in the volcanic and coastal regions. On Friday, the seasonal weather is expected to persist in El Salvador, with emphasis on the coastal area and western volcanic mountain range, as well as in mountainous areas, with the possibility of occasional rains in the rest of the territory. MARN's head, Fernando López, has warned about the importance of staying alert, emphasizing that even if rainfall decreases in some regions, it does not mean that the emergency is over. With significant rainfall accumulations and saturated soils, there is a high risk of floods, tree falls, infrastructure damage, power outages, and landslides, as recently occurred. Civil Protection has reported a total of 12 deaths due to the rains, with the latest victim identified as Miguel Ángel Pineda Aguilar, 49 years old. Additionally, around 1,000 emergencies have been addressed, including fallen trees, landslides, blocked roads, infrastructure damages, affected vehicles, urban flooding, and flooded or damaged homes. The Ministry of Education has reported that 347 public educational centers have been damaged by the rains, although the extent of the damages in some cases is unknown. Civil Protection authorities have reminded the population to stay alert, as the threat of landslides persists due to soil saturation, urging to follow safety recommendations. The Ministry of Public Works (MOP) has started cleaning operations on the beaches of Acajutla, Sonsonate, removing a large amount of garbage amid the emergency caused by the intense rains. Authorities are urging the population to stay informed and prepared for any eventuality, reminding that Tropical Storm Alberto continues to generate adverse conditions in the region, with the possibility of more rains and landslides in the coming days.