By Hugh O’Brien: A flood alert across Belize has been issued as additional rainfall is expected to affect the country over the weekend.
According to National Meteorological Service (NMS) in the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Climate Change, rainfall forecasts of “2 – 4 inches are possible over portions of Belize during the next four days”.
Residents in low-lying, flood-prone and riverside communities especially are advised to remain alert and to closely monitor official weather and flood updates as conditions may change rapidly.
During periods of heavy rainfall, the NMS advises caution “near rivers, streams, low-level crossings and other flood-prone areas” and residents are advised “to not attempt to cross flooded roads or waterways”.
According to the NMS, “several rivers are currently at normal or below-normal levels”. However, additional rainfall could cause smaller streams and tributaries to rise quickly, while larger river systems may respond more gradually as rainfall accumulates. Particular attention is being urged for rivers that are already elevated or approaching bankfull levels.
In its latest weather forecast, the NMS reported that in the north, rivers are near or below normal. In the west, the Mopan River, in particular, has shown a moderate increase in water level, but remain near or below normal. The Belize River is “above normal levels at More Tomorrow” but further downstream toward the coast, and at the Crooked Tree Lagoon, levels are below normal.
Despite the current conditions in the nation’s rivers, the NMS warns that further rainfall could lead to rapid changes, particularly in smaller waterways and areas that are already vulnerable to flooding.
The NMS says it will continue to monitor rainfall and river conditions and that the flood outlook may be updated if forecast conditions or field observations change.
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