Caribbean Rains Leave 5 Dead in Panama, Threaten More Flooding
(Bloomberg) -- Five people died in Panama after rivers breached their banks in the west of the country, as a system of storms threatens to bring more floods to parts of Central America.
At least five rivers flooded in the western provinces of Chiriqui, where four people died, and Bocas del Toro, where one person was killed, according to Panamanian President Martin Torrijos’ Web site. More than 60 landslides have been reported, and the homes of at least 5,700 people were flooded.
Torrijos declared a state of emergency on Nov. 22 and rescuers brought drinking water, food, blankets, mattresses and baby milk to affected areas, according to the statement, posted yesterday. More floods may result from a system of thunderstorms in the southwestern Caribbean, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.
“As this system drifts slowly west-northwestward, it will likely produce heavy rains and localized flooding over portions of Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and eastern Honduras during the next couple of days,” the center said today in a statement on its Web site at 1 a.m. Miami time.
The U.S. has sent a helicopter to the area to help with rescue efforts, and Spain has promised an unspecified amount of aid to those affected, Torrijos said.
To contact the reporter on this story: Alex Morales in London at amorales2@bloomberg.net.
