Tropical storm “Cristina” became a major threat to Nicaragua after being practically “parked” 150 kilometers north of Managua, a condition that will prolong the “heavy rains”, waves and winds on the Pacific coast, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) of the United States.
“Cristina is almost immobile,” the NHC noted in its bulletin 6A, issued at noon on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in which it detailed that the “center of the tropical storm” remained with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour and stationary movement.
In addition, he warned that it is “possible” that coastal flooding could occur due to the storm surge.
“Near the coast, the storm surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves,” stressed the NHC, which noted that the tropical storm will move near the coasts of Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador during the next two days.
“Cristina” continues to cause damage in the country
The rains associated with “Cristina” continue to wreak havoc in several municipalities in western León, such as La Paz Centro, Nagarote, Quezalguaque, Telica, El Jicaral and Malpaisillo, as well as in the coastal communities of Poneloya and Las Peñitas.
In the municipality of La Paz Centro, as a result of soil saturation and water accumulation, the collapse of a perimeter wall at the San Nicolás de Tolentino institute was reported.
The situation also keeps the coastal communities of Poneloya and Las Peñitas on alert, where the waves have surpassed the beach strip and reached streets, ranches and areas used for tourist and commercial activities.
The strong waves have also caused damage to the coastal area of Corinto, in Chinandega. Images released by the Mayor’s Office of Corinto show several businesses flooded, while the currents enter the establishments built near the beach and forcing their owners to move their equipment.
Municipal authorities in the west reported that response brigades remain deployed in the neighborhoods to clear roads and respond to emergencies arising from the passage of the phenomenon.
Damage to other beaches
The older ones damages had been reported in Rivasone of the departments hardest hit since the beginning of the phenomenon due to damage to fishing boats and tourist businesses.
The storm surges recorded in San Juan del Sur and Tola dragged boats towards the coast and caused flooding in establishments located in Playa El Coco and Playa Popoyo.
The Nicaraguan Army recommended that vessels that carry out fishing, tourism and lake transport work take all “security measures” and, if necessary, “move to a safe port”, in order to avoid unfortunate events.
In Carazo, the rescue of five fishermen from Casares was reported, who were shipwrecked on the high seas when a strong wave capsized the boat. Black Eagle in which they carried out fishing work.
The incident occurred about nine kilometers from the coast during the early hours of Monday, June 8, 2026, and the crew members remained adrift for several hours until they were located and rescued by other fishermen.
Rains affect Managua
The National Hurricane Center warned that “Cristina” could leave rainfall accumulations of between 100 and 200 millimeters, with maximums of up to 300 millimeters in coastal sectors of Nicaragua and the rest of Central America between Tuesday and Thursday.
“This precipitation can produce life-threatening flooding and landslides, especially in areas of steep terrain,” the NHC noted.
In Managua, the rains have caused several damages. The capital’s Mayor’s Office reported damage at kilometer 13 of the highway to Masaya, where a section of the road collapsed as a result of the accumulation of water and the deterioration of the terrain.
The municipality reported that workers cleaned drains and channels in some neighborhoods to remove sediment accumulated by the rains.
Although damage has been reported to boats, coastal businesses, homes and road infrastructure, the “co-president” and spokesperson for the regime, Rosario Murillo, minimized the impact of the phenomenon by stating that “thank God we have had no significant incidents.”
