Hurricane Earl is gathering strength as it makes landfall in Belize, in Central America, officials said Thursday. 
The US National Hurricane Center said that Earl now has speeds of up to 130km/h (80mph), with the eye of the storm now passing just north of Belize City, the (BBC) reported. 
Belize's National Emergency Management Organisation (Nemo) warned of flash flooding and mudslides in Earl's wake. 
Heavy rains have fallen on Honduras. The storm is forecast to continue through northern Guatemala into Mexico. 
Residents of Belize City and other coastal communities have been urged by the authorities to move inland and take advantage of higher ground or a network of storm shelters. 
Officials ordered the closure of the city's international airport while archaeological reserves and national parks were also shut. 
The storm is expected to lessen when as it moves inland. But in the meantime, Nemo officials say heavy rain could cause flash floods and mudslides, with a storm surge possible along the shore They have warned of trees being blown down, power cuts and damage to houses and buildings which will be hit by flying objects and projectiles. 
After the hurricane passes through across Belize, it is expected to go through a northern rural part of Guatemala and from there into south-eastern Mexico. 
Mexican authorities said that the southern states of Campeche, Quintana Roo, Tabasco and Yucatan are likely to be affected by Earl and have issued an alert. 
Meanwhile, the storm knocked over a large numbers of trees and utility poles in Honduras, officials said. 
At least nine people died on Monday in Haiti and the Dominican Republic as the storm passed over the Caribbean.

Source: QNA