Heavy Rains, Flooding, and Mudslides Hit Bocas del Toro Province

(Panama-Guide) - La Prensa -  Changuinola, Bocas del Toro. "The heavy rains that have occurred in the province of Bocas del Toro have caused landslides on the road between Chiriqui Grande and Gualaca, near Wilimazu, said the regional director of the National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc) Gladys Concepcion. Concepcion said work crews from the Ministry of Public Works began work to reopen the roads in this sector. In the area there are a lot of vehicles that were trapped and could not drive towards the provinces of Chiriqui and Bocas del Toro. The SINAPROC regional director recommended that drivers should proceed with caution due to the heavy rains that have fallen in the area. Similarly, she revealed that near the community of Loma Muleto, on the road that connects Changuinola with Almirante, fell a tree that is blocking one lane of the road. Concepcion also said the Sixaola river has overflowed its banks near Guashop, making it difficult to travel to the community of Las Tablas, near the border with Costa Rica.

Sinaproc officials had to evacuate family members from the community of 4 April, in Changuinola, and two other families from Nueva Amanecer, in Empalme. Right now SINAPROC officials are going towards the areas of Finca 02 and 03, where they have received information that the Changuinola river is at its highest level.

******

Original Source. Panama-Guide

Date Retrieved: December 2, 2010.