Varela promises aid for 2,500 flood impacted residents

RECENT HEAVY rains have impacted more than 2,500 people in in the Panama city region

President Juan Carlos Varela who, on Saturday, September 12,  toured areas damaged by flooding, said: “no expense will be spared” in getting aid to those affected.

 In Samaria, San Miguelito, officials with the civil defense agency (Sinaproc) said 55 houses were damaged.

In Juan Díaz, more than 100 houses were flooded. Sinaproc said that 535 homes have been evacuated. There have been numerous reports of fallen trees and collapsed walls. The agency has been assisted by structural engineers from the University of Panama in assessing the damage.

Varela said that there has to be better planning to prevent houses from being built in areas prone to flooding.

Sinaproc said that 535 homes have been evacuated. There have been numerous reports of fallen trees and collapsed walls. The agency has been assisted by structural engineers from the University of Panama in assessing the damage.