Hurricane Julia hit Nicaragua on Sunday with wind and heavy rains, and Central American countries may be affected by potentially life-threatening sudden floods and landslides.
According to the country ' s meteorological agency, the maximum steady wind speed was estimated at 140 km/h when the storm hit the shore near Laguna de Perlas at 07:15 GMT.
By the late morning of this season, the fifth Atlantic hurricane was slightly weakened to a tropical storm with steady winds at a speed of about 113 km/h when it was transported west through Nicaragua.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center warned that Hurricane Julia, whose centre was approximately 105 kilometres north-east of the capital, Managua, at 3 p.m. Greenwich, was still dangerous not only for Nicaragua but also for neighbouring countries.
"These rains can cause life-threatening floods and landslides in Central America today and Monday," with dangerous conditions also reaching southern Mexico, says the Agency's latest bulletin.
With the continued force of tropical storm, Hurricane Julia is projected to cause between 12.7 and 25.4 cm of rainfall in Nicaragua and El Salvador, and will fall to 38 cm in some areas.
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