Heavy Rains in November: 12 Dead and More Than 80 Sectors Affected

Since November 2, when heavy rains were recorded nationwide, to date, more than 300 landslides, 84 sectors affected by floods and 12 fatalities have been reported, along with other situations such as broken water pipes.  This was reported by the National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc) according to data collected by the National Emergency Operations Center (COEN). To date, assessments and monitoring are still ongoing in the affected areas and vulnerable sectors.  Authorities have put the provinces of Chiriquí, Veraguas and the Ngäbe Buglé region on green alert, areas where the rains have caused havoc.  The report released by Sinaproc on Tuesday, November 26, indicates that, due to the heavy rains recorded in different provinces, reports of 304 landslides have been attended to. In addition, it is considered that some roads were blocked and others collapsed as a result of these landslides.  The 84 affected sectors of the country are located in the provinces of Veraguas, Chiriquí, Los Santos and Herrera. 

This rainy season left 11 people dead from drowning in rivers and ravines and one death from a landslide in Veraguas.  In addition, 12 rescues were carried out in different parts of the country due to heavy rains, floods and landslides.  Likewise, a total of 16 bridges and fords were reported to have been affected by strong currents in rivers and ravines, and these have collapsed. The Ministry of Public Works (MOP) carried out some 90 road inspections.  The weather events led to some 30 evacuations of communities, many in areas declared flood-prone for several years, two sea rescues and the inspection of 39 structures.  There were also 151 fallen trees on roads, houses and walls; to address this situation, Sinaproc cut and removed them. There are still 84 road damages and 21 collapsed structures (houses, walls).  The statistics of affected families remain at 1,562, 6,317 people affected and 26 educational centers affected by different adverse phenomena, due to heavy rains and winds in different sectors of the country until November 25, 2024.