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The storm is going through
the country over 24
hours. /
photo.
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National Emergency
Commission increases
alert
level in Upala area
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
The National Commission of
Emergencies declared Monday a
green alert in the Pacific coast
and the north zone of the
country. The alert lever was
ratcheted up from green to
yellow in Upala* in
the province of Alajuela, due
to flooding in the
downtown area.
The commission also said
staffers are responding to
emergencies reports by the
people affected by the flooding
in Santa Clara, Canaleta and
Bijagua.
According to the commission,
since Sunday night rain has
increased in the whole country
due to the tropical storm 12 of
the season. The storm is going
through the country over 24
hours.
Since June 21, A.M. Costa Rica
reported that the commission has
maintained a green alert for the
whole country due to the
presence of the intertropical
convergence zone over the
country.
The zone, 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 zone appears as a band of
clouds, usually thunderstorms,
that encircle the globe near the
Equator.
Variation in the latitude of the
zone 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 zone
the can result in severe
droughts or flooding.
Commission officials call on the
population to increase security
measures as follow:
- Be vigilant, mainly in areas
with vulnerability to flooding
due to sewer saturation,
increased flow in rivers and
places with a high propensity to
a landslide.
- Take shelter if there is an
electrical storm.
- Be aware of possible falling
tree branches, power lines and
other objects during strong
winds.
- Close doors and windows in the
case of electrical storms.
- Disconnect electrical
equipment, because the lightning
can lead to discharge through
the cables. Televisions are
particularly dangerous at those
times.
- Avoid bathing or using the
sink during storms because metal
pipes can transmit electricity.
- Leave immediately and take
refuge inside a building if in a
swimming pool,
- Avoid being in tall structures
such as towers, or trees or on
roofs during storms.
- Drive with the windows closed.
- Turn on vehicle lights in case
of heavy rain.
- Move away from the edges of
rivers, sewers, bridges.
In case of emergency, call 911
to inquire about the nearest
shelter and notify the
authorities. The A.M. Costa Rica
team calls on readers to share
this alert among their contacts.
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Have you had an emergency
because of the rains in your
community? We
would like to know your thoughts
on this story. Send your
comments to news@amcostarica.com
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