Floods and landslides leave 18 dead in Central America. President Colom issues red alert amid landslides in Guatemala

A tropical depression storm pounding Central America has triggered floods and landslides that have left at least 18 people dead.

In Guatemala, at least 13 people were reported killed with four victims in Nicaragua and one in El Salvador.

Guatemala issued a "red alert" and reported at least a dozen landslides on roads and eight badly damaged bridges. Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom said rising water levels in at least 12 rivers were threatening communities.

Original source: BBC