Río Grande Overflows Its Banks Near Natá - Traffic Disrupted

alt(Panama-Guide) - Panama America -  Heavy rains and flooding are causing chaos in the interior of the country, causing the overflow of the Rio Grande in Penonomé, where traffic on the Inter American Highway has been disrupted due to the strong currents that have flooded the four lanes of the road. The Director of the National Civil Protection System (SINAPROC), Arturo Alvarado, advised people to avoid crossing the road and to take appropriate precautionary measures. So far no homes have been reported affected, but drivers enroute to the capital Panama City have reported there are hundreds of cars are stranded on the road.

 
A work crew from the Ministry of Public Works went to the scene with a backhoe to clear some drainage, and soon the water level started to come down. However, at the time of the publication of this article it is being reported that only large buses and 18 wheelers are being allowed to pass.
 
Sinaproc personnel in the province of Cocle confirmed there have been reports of several other rivers overflowing their banks in the area of Coclesito. In the province of Colón there have also been reports of damage caused by flooding in the communities of Río Indio, Nuevo Colón, Nuevo México, and in the area of Cativá.
 
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Original Source: Panama-Guide
Date Retrieved: November 7, 2010.