Heavy rain caused a river to rise, flooding a bridge in Guatemala.

Surging waters from the Machaquila River severely damaged a low-water bridge connecting the Nuevo Paraiso La Machaca community in El Chal, Peten, on November 19.

The crossing, vital for local transit, was overwhelmed by rising river levels after heavy rains intensified by a recent storm in the region.

Authorities are urging residents to prioritise safety, warning of the dangers of traversing swollen rivers.

Tropical Storm Sara, which formed in the Caribbean Sea on Thursday, has affected Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Belize, and Guatemala, bringing heavy rainfall, widespread flooding, and landslides.

Officials confirmed seven deaths and reported that over 177,000 people have been affected by the slow-moving storm.