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Published
Tuesday,
June 2, 2020 due to hurricane season By the A.M. Costa Rica staff The recent emergencies due to rains marks the beginning of the hurricane season. The National Emergency Commission declared a Green Alert throughout the country on Monday. A Green Alert is given when it is anticipated that a meteorological phenomenon endangers a specific area in the country. The authorities activated the community's emergency commissions to take action due to the danger related to the alert. Residents must be informed about official news related to the development of natural phenomenons that could be potentially dangerous. The Green Alert was declared although the country is outside the direct influence of Tropical Wave 2 that crosses Central America. There were no repercussions for Tropical Storm Amanda, located on the Yucatan Peninsula on Monday. According to the National Meteorological Institute, Tropical Storm Amanda has degraded after passing through Central America. Currently, the remnants of this storm generate an area of atmospheric disturbance on the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico, maintaining rainy conditions in northern Central America and southern Mexico. Specialists forecast that occasional rains are expected this morning for the country's coastal areas, most likely in Guanacaste Province. In addition, isolated rains and drizzles are anticipated for the northern region, in the border areas with Nicaragua. Light drizzles are also forecasted in the country's mountainous areas. In the afternoon and early evening, rainy activity associated with local factors combined with the influence of the Intertropical Convergence Zone on the country is expected. The Intertropical Convergence Zone, known by sailors as the doldrums or the calms due to the dull windless weather, is the area where the northeast and southeast trade winds converge. The zone appears as a band of clouds, usually, thunderstorms, that circles the globe near the Equator. Downpours with storms are forecast in the early evening, especially for the San José Province, Pacific Coast, and mountainous Caribbean regions. The emergency specialists released a series of home care recommendations to avoid accidents, due to the beginning of the green season where there is a strong increase in rainfall throughout the country. Among the main recommendations to avoid damage to structures and emergencies: • Keep the roofs of your houses clean. • Clearing a path in the backyard to allow rainwater to move without problems towards the drainage, also helps avoid damages and leaks in the house. • Pick up the garbage so that it does not fall on the pipes or drains on the sidewalks. • Avoid that solvents, oils, acids or corrosive liquids fall into the sewer pipes as they can deteriorate them. • Organize the cleaning of public areas such as river banks in your community to avoid flooding. • Report the lack of concrete caps or grids in the pipes to the Aqueduct Institute by calling 2547-6555. Authorities call on the public to take the following precautionary measures: • Stay informed about the alerts issued by the authorities. • People living in mountain areas should increase precautionary measures against a possible landslide or material falling from the high areas of the hills. • Have an evacuation emergency plan in the community, work and home. • Drivers must increase precautions for heavy rain and fog. • Take precautionary measures in case of electrical storms. • Be alert in vulnerable areas to flooding due to sewer saturation or increase of river flow. • 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. • In the event of a landslide, do not walk on the debris, stay away from affected areas, and do not return home until authorities verify that it is a safe place. Authorities asked the public to call 911 to report any possible flooding, fallen trees or landslides. According to the Costa Rican Red Cross who monitors the department, this week they have been attending emergency calls due to floods in San Ramón Canton in Alajuela Province, but no cases of damage to homes or people have been reported. A.M. Costa Rica urges readers to share this alert with their contacts. ------------------------ Have you heard of emergencies due to rainfall in your community? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com |
