Gamma: Honduran Death and Damage
Tropical Storm Gamma caused more than 30 deaths, thousands of injuries, and great damage to farms during its pass through northern Honduras, local authorities reported Tuesday.

"Unfortunately, the latest number of dead is 32," declared Randolfo Funez, member of the Permanent Commission for Contingencies (COPECO).

At least 12 of the fatal victims lived in the Rio Verde and Dos Portillos settlements, where over 70 houses were flooded.

Torrential rains and the overflowing rivers forced the evacuation of more than 23,000 people, and 20,000 of them remain in refuges.

In addition, the storm caused the interruption of 42 communication links and total or partial destruction of 400 houses and 17 bridges.

Although Gamma weakened and is moving away from Honduran territory, there are still 50,000 people isolated in the departments of Olancho, Colon, Gracias a Dios, Atlantida, Yoro and Cortes.

Large banana and African palm farming areas were flooded and authorities described damage as significant.

Two natural phenomena converged on the Honduran territory: Storm Gamma and the rains associated with a cold front.

In a trip around the affected areas, President Ricardo Maduro described destruction on the country's northern coast as terrible.