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  The rain was
recorded from 2 a.m. until 6 p.m. in the Upala
Canton and surrounding sectors.
-Weather Institute courtesy photo and AM Costa Rica photo. |
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Published Friday, August 14, 2020 in the northern zone By the A.M. Costa Rica staff The proximity of the country with the Intertropical Convergence Zone and the passage of a new tropical wave, number 27 of the green season, has caused an increase in electrical storms, mainly in the Caribbean Coast and the North Zone of the country. 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. According to the Weather Institute's report, the new tropical wave caused heavy rains mainly in the region of the Caribbean Coast and Pacific Coast since the early hours of Thursday. Accumulated levels of rainfall between 10-30 mm have been recorded in the Caribbean and amounts between 5-10 mm in the Pacific, the Institute said. Also, the rain was recorded from 2 a.m. until 6 p.m. in the Upala Canton and surrounding sectors in Alajuela Province, in the North Zone of the country. The amounts of rainfall were recorded at 90 mm in the area. It is expected that the tropical wave will continue its way towards the Pacific Ocean leaving the country in the early hours of Friday. However, specialists are tracking another Tropical Wave, the number 28 of the green season, approaching the Panamanian Atlantic Coast. It is expected that a new Tropical Wave will affect the country on Friday and Saturday creating more rain in the Caribbean Coast. The so-called green station coincides with the Hurricane season, mainly occurring in the Atlantic Ocean. The National Hurricane Center of Miami, Florida already started alerting about the new Tropical Storm Josephine. The center of Tropical Storm Josephine was located near latitude 13.7 North, longitude 49.2 West, 1,565 Kilometers East of the Northern Leeward Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, experts said. Josephine is moving toward the west-northwest near 15 mph (24 km / h), and this general motion is expected to continue for the next few days followed by a turn toward the northwest late this weekend or early next week. Recent satellite wind data indicates that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 45 mph (75 km / h) with higher gusts. Some additional strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles (130 km) to the north of the center. Specialists predict that the storm will hit the Atlantic coast of Puerto Rico on Sunday. Specialists from the National Emergency Commission recommend that in order to avoid accidents, damage to structures and emergencies, due to the beginning of the green season where there is a strong increase in rainfall throughout the country, make sure to: • Keep the roofs of your houses clean. • Clear a path in the backyard allowing rainwater to move without problems towards the drainage, which helps in avoiding 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 that can fall into the sewer pipes and 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 emergency evacuation 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 ask for the people in Costa Rica to call 911 to report any possible flooding, fallen trees or landslides. A.M. Costa Rica urges readers to share this alert with their contacts. --------------------- What emergencies have you heard of due to the thunderstorms in your community? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com |
