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-Published:Thursday,
September 26, 2019-
Authorities declare alert for torrential rains By the A.M. Costa Rica staff On Wednesday, the National Commission of Emergencies declared an alert for an increase in rains and the possible risk of floods, strong winds, and landslides. According to the commission, the areas most affected by the rains have been the province of Guanacaste* and the province of Puntarenas*. Specifically in the area of the north and central Pacific coast. There is a yellow alert in that area. A yellow alert was also declared in the province of San José* and the area of the South Pacific coast. Green alert was declared on the rest of the country. According to the Commission, it has been reporting damages to homes due to flooding, landslides overtaking roads, and debris being washed away by river currents in some villages. Areas that have had the most emergency reports are in Guanacaste, in the communities of Santa Cruz, Pinilla, Nicoya, Nandayure, and Nosara. In the community of Nosara, the road to the community of Ostional was closed, due to flooding. According to the Meteorological Institute, the areas most affected by heavy downpours and thunderstorms are in the Nicoya Peninsula, Jaco Beach, and Parrita, with rainfall amounts of 150-240 mm. In the Guanacaste area, downpours were recorded with levels between 20-60 mm. In San Jose, rains were recorded with levels between 30-60 mm. In Cartago, rains between 40-80 mm were recorded. On the Caribbean coast, rains registered between 20-40 mm. According to the Institute, the week has been characterized by unstable and humid atmospheric conditions over the country due to the proximity of the Intertropical Convergence Zone, ITCZ. As A.M. Costa Rica has been reporting since August, the increase in rain is due to the presence of the ITCZ, known by sailors as the doldrums or the calms. It is the area where the northeast and southeast trade winds converge. The ITCZ appears as a band of clouds, usually thunderstorms, that encircle the globe near the Equator. Variations in the location of the ITCZ drastically affects the rainfall in many equatorial nations, resulting in the wet and dry seasons of the tropics rather than the cold and warm seasons of higher latitudes. Longer-term changes in the ITCZ can result in severe droughts or flooding in nearby areas. Due to the current conditions, people should be alert, especially in areas of high risk due to floods, landslides, or strong wind gusts. Due to the alerts, specialists recommend: - Be alert in areas vulnerable to flooding due to sewer saturation, increased river flow, and landslides. - In case of a thunderstorm, take refuge in a safe place. - In case of strong wind gusts be alert to possible falling tree branches or electrical cables. The authorities ask the public to call 911 to report any possible flooding, falling trees, or landslides. More updated information can be found at the National Weather Institute of Costa Rica site here.* The A.M. Costa Rica team asks readers to share this alert among their contacts. ------------------------ Have you personally had difficulty due to the tropical storms in your community? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com |
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