|
The
Commission reports that
since last week, 46
towns have been affected
with 167 warnings
registered of which 53
were for floods. /
A.M. Costa Rica wire
services photo
|
National
Emergency Commission
increases
alert due to heavy rains and
soil saturation
|
By the
A.M. Costa Rica staff
The saturation of soils due to
heavy downpours generated by the
low-pressure system and Intertropical
Convergence Zone,ITCZ,, as well
as the continuity of the rainy
conditions that have affected
the country since last week,
motivated to the National
Emergency Commission to declare
a yellow alert status for the
Central Pacific, North Pacific
and North Zone.
The ITCZ, known by sailors as
the doldrums or the calms
because of its monotonous,
windless weather, 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.
Variation in the location of
ITCZ drastically affects
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.
The yellow alert was taken
after field reports were
generated by the Municipal
Emergency Committees and a
report was issued by the
National Meteorological
Institute. The latter
indicates that the rains could
continue for the rest of the
week.
According to Alexander Solís,
president of the Commission,
"close communication is
maintained both with the
Meteorological Institute as
well as with the Municipal
Emergency Committees to give
an effective response to any
event that may arise."
The Commission reports that
since last week, 46
towns have been affected with
167 warnings registered of
which 53 were for floods, 33
for landslides, 67 for
requests for inspections were
required, and 3 emergency
calls for strong winds.
The Commission intensified its
operational structure to carry
out the relevant assessments
due to the constant rains.
The Commission says that aid
has already been given to
people who have been affected
by heavy rains. So far, 100
bags of food and 50 blankets
have been supplied to the
different aid centers in the
municipalities.
Due to the current conditions,
typical of the beginning of
the rainy season in the South
Pacific, Central Pacific,
North Pacific, and Central
Valley, there should be heavy
showers in the afternoons that
can be extended until late at
night, so people should be
alert especially in areas of
high risk due to floods and
landslides.
The Commission calls on
everyone living near a flood
zone or in an area with
unstable hillsides to be
alert. If you see a rising
river, suspect ground
instability or are unsure
because of heavy rains, leave
your home, call 9-1-1 and seek
refuge.
The Commission has declared a
green alert, as A.M. Costa
Rica reported on May 9,
in the province of Limón*
and the northern area of the
provinces of Cartago*,
Heredia*,
and Alajuela*.
In addition, the Ministry of
Public Works has announced the
possible closure of route #32,
between San José and the
province of Limón*,
in the area near the Braulio
Carrillo national park*
as consequences of landslides.
Transit officials call on
drivers to avoid the area. As
alternate routes from San José
to the Atlantic zone is the Vara Blanca*
route in Heredia for regular
cars. For heavily load trucks,
it is recommended that they
use the route #4, known as Chilamate*,
to reach the towns of Turrialba*
or Siquirres*.
The AM Costa Rica team calls
on readers to share this alert
among their local contacts.
--------------
Has there been an emergency in
your community due to heavy
rains? We
would like to know your
thoughts on this
story. Send your
comments to: news@amcostarica.com
|
|
|
