Eta leaves a path of destruction in Panama

November 6 2020 the death toll in Panama rose to eight as authorities addressed damages left by Eta, from the destruction of crops, roads, bridges and homes to missing people.

Currently the rains, landslides and flooding in Chiriquí, Bocas del Toro, Veraguas and the Ngäbe-Buglé region of Panama have left 68 “people not located”.

According to the preliminary count made by the Minister of Public Security, Juan Pino, over 2000 people have been affect by the events. 

The damage was concentrated in Chiriquí, particularly in the Highlands, where a large part of the food that reaches Panama City is produced. Highways and production roads were damaged in several sections.

Preliminary data from producers in the region indicate that some 1,500 hectares were affected, especially those used for the planting of lettuce, celery, broccoli, cabbage and other vegetables. 

The province of Bocas del Toro has been cut off from the rest of the country. The roads will take a while to rebuild and in the meantime the province is worried about their food and gas supplies. 

One of the epicenters of the tragedy is the village of Paso Ancho. There, local governments set up a church, a school and an agricultural warehouse as a shelter. The church became home to about 700 people who lost everything.