El Salvador - GFDRR
El Salvador - GFDRR
El Salvador - GFDRR
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92 | <strong>El</strong> <strong>Salvador</strong>: Damage, Loss, and Needs Assesment<br />
stitutional and regulatory reform, innovation and education (Country Environmental Analysis, World<br />
Bank 2005). From an environmental policy perspective, the challenge consists of strengthening environmental<br />
institutions and policies so that they can effectively protect the country’s environment and natural<br />
heritage while supporting the growth driven by commerce.<br />
Impacts of the Low-Pressure System and Tropical Storm Ida on ecosystems within protected areas and<br />
agro-ecosystems. The preliminary assessment, prepared by MARN, 42 of the effects on the environment<br />
caused by the low-pressure system and Tropical Storm Ida indicate the following impacts, which occurred<br />
to a greater or lesser degree in protected natural areas as well as in agro-ecosystems located in the affected<br />
zones: 1) degradation and deterioration of wildlife habitat (natural ecosystems and agro-ecosystems);<br />
2) deterioration of water quality due to increased sediments and contamination with nutrients; 3) possible<br />
occurrence of eutrophication and other damages to bodies of water; and 4) significant increase of water<br />
volumes and floods that caused the degradation or complete destruction of gallery or riparian forest areas<br />
and mangrove zones. The most evident effect on the environment was caused by landslides of debris or<br />
by lahars that brought about major devastation and the loss of human lives among the residents of various<br />
communities.<br />
Flow of debris in the city of Verapaz. According to data obtained by MARN, the approximate volume<br />
of debris that reached the city of Verapaz was calculated at 240,000 m 3 . The approximate distance from<br />
the start of the flow was estimated at 6 kilometers, reaching a height of 2 meters upon entering Verapaz.<br />
Flow of debris in the city of Guadalupe. MARN’s damage report indicates that several landslides converged<br />
in the city of Guadalupe, with the principal contribution being from the landslide on the northern<br />
flank of the San Vicente volcano, which emptied into <strong>El</strong> Derrumbo creek. The flow destroyed several<br />
bridges as well as houses in Colonia Santa Rosa. According to the data obtained, the approximate volume<br />
of debris was calculated at 370,000 m 3 . The approximate distance of the flow of debris was estimated at<br />
6 kilometers.<br />
Flow of debris in Los Infiernillos creek. The debris in Los Infiernillos creek flowed for a distance of<br />
about 6 kilometers. Preliminary calculations of the volume of the flow of debris deposited in the alluvial<br />
fan were 250,000 m 3 .<br />
Flow of debris in <strong>El</strong> Amate Blanco creek. The debris in <strong>El</strong> Amate Blanco creek flowed for a distance of<br />
about 6 kilometers. The communities of <strong>El</strong> Refugio and Barrio San José near Tepetitán suffered the loss<br />
of human lives as well as material damages. Both communities were located in the middle of the zone<br />
where debris was deposited. According to measurements conducted, an estimated volume of 300,000 m 3<br />
of debris was deposited.<br />
42<br />
Preliminary report on the assessment of environmental damages caused by the storm from November 7 to 8, 2009.<br />
Prepared by the General Bureau of Environmental Management (Dirección General de Gestión Ambiental –DGGA),<br />
General Bureau of the National Territorial Studies Service (D-SNET), General Bureau for Natural Heritage (Dirección<br />
General de Patrimonio Natural -DGPN), General Bureau for Environmental Inspection (Dirección General de Inspectoría<br />
Ambiental -DGIA), Solid Waste Unit, November 2009.