By the
A.M. Costa Rica staff
The National Commission of Emergencies
reports the increase of heavy rains in the
nation due to the presence of the
Intertropical Convergence Zone over the
country.
The Intertropical Convergence Zone,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 the
intertropical convergence 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 intertropical convergence
zone can result in severe droughts or
flooding in nearby areas.
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.
At present, the areas of major risk are the
northern Atlantic zone and the Atlantic
coastal zone. For this reason, the
Commission has declared a green alert in the
province of Limón* and the
northern area of the provinces of Cartago*, Heredia*, and Alajuela*.
The AM Costa Rica team calls on readers to
share this alert among their contacts.
In addition, the Ministry of Public Works
has announced the 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.
"Although there are tractors available to
clean the area, the rainy weather conditions
persist in the area, which makes it
difficult and dangerous to keep the workers'
team in the area," the Ministry said in its
statement.
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*.
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Have you heard of landslide or river
flooding in your community? We would like to
know your thoughts on this story. Send your
comments to: news@amcostarica.com
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