Two dead, thousands evacuated in Panama flood disaster
(newsroompanama.com) The side effects of Hurricane Thomas have killed two and led to the evacuation of over two thousand people in Panama, still lagging in disaster preparation.
Torrential rains have caused rivers in Chiriqui to overflow their banks.
The evacuations took place around the rivers Colorado and Chiriqui Viejo
Baco, La Esperanza, Chiriqui Viejo, Civil Corotú, Majagual, Almendro Aqueduct and Los Olivos are the most affected communities where houses and banana plantations are under water.
In the highlands rains have affected the production of potatoes and onions.
A recent report issued by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) says that Latin America and the Caribbean, including Panama, have no satisfactory risk management policies to cope with natural disasters.
Sergio Lacayo, a specialist in Disaster Risk Management of the IDB, said the risk reduction capacity in Panama is only a third " of the optimal level and there is “still some work to do" in the inspection process for compliance with the rules of land use and safe construction.
The IDB report said that Panamanians were the group most affected by disasters from 2001 to 2007.
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Original Source: Newsroompanama.com
Date Retrieved: November 6, 2010.
