Costa Rica's President Chaves visits flooded communities

You Might
Also Like

Published on Monday, November 18, 2024
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

On Sunday, President Rodrigo Chaves-Robles visited some communities flooded by heavy downpours this month.

Chaves and members of the National Emergency Commission (CNE) visited some cantons in Guanacaste Province, including Carrillo, Santa Cruz, and Liberia.

The administration is coordinating aid for more than 2,000 people, and about 200 pets were evacuated to 40 shelters over the weekend, according to Chaves.

He added that the Ministry of Transport, the Emergency Commission, the Housing Institute, the Institute of Water and Electricity, and the Aid Institute will collaborate to assist flood-affected families.

Floods and landslides have affected many Pacific Coast towns, damaging infrastructure such as houses, roads, bridges, power stations, and drinking water pipe' systems.

Heavy rainfall was recorded in many cantons of Guanacaste Province, including Liberia, Nicoya, Santa Cruz, Bagaces, Carrillo, Cañas, Abangares, Tilarán, Nandayure, La Cruz, and Hojancha.

The floods also affected numerous cantons in the Province of Puntarenas, including Puntarenas City, Esparza, Buenos Aires, Montes de Oro, Osa, Quepos, Golfito, Coto Brus, Parrita, Corredores, and Garabito.

The Commission asks for food donations for families affected by the country's severe rains and flooding. They are requesting food such as canned foods, soup, rice, beans, coffee, pasta, ketchup, snacks, condiments, cereal, cooking oil, spices, bottled water, shelf-stable milk, juice, plastic bags, hygiene items, cleaning supplies, and plastic utensils.

Please drop off donations at the Commission's facilities at the Tobias Bolaños airport in Pavas Canton, in San José. In Guanacaste at the food bank in Cañas Canton. In Puntarenas, aid may be dropped off at the food bank in Parrita Canton. On the Osa Peninsula, contributions can also be dropped off at the Cuidad Cortes Canton / Osa food bank.

Last week, arrived a flight from El Salvador with a donation of 15 tons of food, tons of emergency equipment and a team of 100 people, including rescuers, first aid personnel and emergency care experts.

The Salvadoran team put themselves at the orders of the Emergency Committee to collaborate with aid and rescue operations during the flood emergencies.

That was the first of three flights with donations that will arrive in the country in the next few days, authorities said.

Authorities hold a Red Alert throughout the Pacific Coast, comprising the provinces of Guanacaste and Puntarenas. This is the highest risk level of a weather alert, issued when a natural phenomenon threat escalates in scope and intensity. The alert forces the emergency committee to remain vigilant for the probable evacuation of people from the most vulnerable locations and the mobilization of all resources for responding to emergencies.

The Orange Alert continues in almost all of the country. This third-level awareness advises rescue organizations to be on high alert if it is certain that an event or natural phenomenon will potentially affect the alerted areas.

The Yellow Alert was issued over the southern zone of the Caribbean Coast (Limón Province). This second-level alert warns the rescue teams to be ready for a large-scale natural phenomenon that is forming and is almost certain to impact that specific area.

As of Sunday, no green weather warnings have been issued.

Last week, Costa Rica declared a State of National Emergency in response to the country's emergencies due to severe rains.

According to the experts, during November the final rainy days of the current green season will be gradually replaced by sunny days across the country.

The National Emergency Commission (CNE) works with people and emergency professionals to strengthen, sustain, and enhance the county's ability to plan for, defend against, respond to, recover from, and reduce any potential hazards.

---------------
What have you heard about other communities impacted by excessive rain? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com