Officials have said that tropical Storm Agatha brought pounding rain and high winds to Central America during the weekend, killing at least 40 people.

Accuweather. com has reported that Agatha, which became the first tropical depression of the year in the Eastern Pacific Basin early Saturday, was upgraded to a tropical storm by midday, and then was downgraded to a tropical depression again late in the day.

The Latin American Herald Tribune reported on Sunday that the storm triggered flash flooding and mudslides in Guatemala. At least 30 people were missing due to the storm in Guatemala and El Salvador. The newspaper further said that emergency management officials have said that almost 75,000 people have been evacuated and an estimated 3,500 homes have been damaged by the storm, along with bridges and other installations.

Agatha is likely to stall over the country for about five days, forecasters have said. Winds are expected to lose strength but heavy to moderate rains are likely to persist.

It has been reported that Thursday's eruption of the Pacaya Volcano, near Guatemala City, could worsen flooding problems after showering the capital city with up to 3 inches of ash.

It was further reported by the newspaper that Guatemala City's La Aurora International Airport will remain closed for about three days because the heavy rain has prevented maintenance crews from clearing the runway of tons of sand deposited there by the eruption. Incoming flights were being diverted to Comalapa airport in El Salvador, where passengers were being taken to Guatemala City by bus. (With Inputs from Agencies)