By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Authorities of the National Commission of Emergencies, decreed a green alert during the passage last weekend of the tropical wave No.43 of this year's rainy season.

According to the authorities, the alert covers the entire Pacific coast, from the northern zone to the southern zone, including the Central Valley, consisting of parts of the provinces of San José, Cartago, Alajuela and Heredia.

The alert does not apply to the Caribbean coast.

According to the emergency report, commission officials responded to 20 cases related to floods Friday.

Also, officers reported having made 38 inspections in areas at high risk of landslides, floods or tree falls.

According to the National Meteorological Institute the rains are forecast to extend late at night, mainly along the Pacific coast, west of the northern zone and in the Central Valley.

The low-pressure system that is over the country is associated with the Intertropical Convergence Zone, and that provides a strong moisture contribution to cause of the increase in rainfall, said the institute in its statement.

As A.M. Costa Rica previously reported, the 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.

Variations in the location of the convergence zone drastically affect the 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 convergence zone can result in severe droughts or flooding in nearby areas.

Due to the current conditions, people should be alert, especially in areas of high risk due to floods, landslides, or strong wind gusts, said officials. Specialists recommend:

- Be alert in vulnerable areas to flooding due to sewer saturation, increased river flow and landslides.

- 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.

Authorities asked the public to call 911 to report any possible flooding, falling trees or landslides. More updated information can be found at the National Weather Institute of Costa Rica site.

The A.M. Costa Rica team asks readers to share this alert among their contacts.


On October 16th, the Commission announced the increase in green precautionary alert zones due to the increase in rainfall.

According to the authorities, a more urgent yellow alert applies to the Province of Guanacaste and the northern part of the country.

The green alert covers the rest of the country, including the Province of Limón on the Caribbean coast.

According to the authorities, in the last 24 hours, heavy rains have been reported in 31 cantons, and five temporary shelters were enabled in Santa Cruz de Guanacaste and on the Nicoya peninsula.

In the shelters are 85 people who were living in areas at risk of flooding and landslides.

In addition, authorities report more than 25 roads have been damaged due to flooding.

Among the most affected areas was Ostional Beach, where the Association of Local Guides reported the overflow of the Ostional River, causing flooding in the turtle debris area. In addition a car was dragged by the river's current.

According to the report of the association, the two occupants of the car managed to get out of the vehicle by their own means and reach a safe area.

According to a report from the La Cruz fire station Monday morning an emergency call came about two people who had been dragged along the river while driving near a bridge. However, by the time the rescue units arrived, the two people had already managed to get out of the vehicle and reach the riverbank by their own means.

The health status of both was reported stable so it was not necessary to transfer them to a hospital, the firefighters said in a report



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