(QCOSTARICA) – The disasters in the Caribbean part of the country continue, the rains resuming in the early hours of this morning Sunday, battering the area for the last eight days.
The government has issued a RED alert for the area, allowing emergency committees to take action to help the affected.
The areas most affected are Limon, Sarapiquí (Heredia) and Turrialba (Cartago). The heavy rainfall has partially isolated Limon, forcing people into shelters.
The Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT) counts so far 12 routes damaged.
Ruta 32 continues closed
Cristian Vargas, manager of the Conservación Vial del Consejo Nacional de Vialidad (Conavi), said the Ruta 32 could be re-opened in two days, but, that it all depends on the weather.
The La Nacion, with information from the MOPT, CNE (Comision Nacional de Emergencias) and the Central Government have created a map showing the affected routes.
The CNE, working the Fuerza Publica (police) and other agencies has begun distributing necessities to many in the affected communities.
Condition of bridges
As far as the bridges, despite their poor state of condition – the Laboratorio Nacional de Materiales y Modelos Estructurales (Lanamme) says 8 of the 32 bridges in the area are in critical condition – the MOPT rules out any bridges to have totally collapsed.
“Critical, engineering wise natural events can have an affect, but since out last check none are about to collapse,” said MOPT minister, Carlos Segnini.
“Yes, there are old bridges (from the 70s when the road was built), obviously they show deterioration with age and need to be improved,” said the minister.
Reventazon Hydro Electric Project Evacuated
The conditions are such that the entire crew working at the Reventazón Hydro Electric project, in Siquirres, by the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE), was ordered evacuated Saturday due to the high level of the Reventazon river.
Weather Conditions
According to the national weather service, the Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (IMN), the intense rains are expected to continue today in the Caribbean and northern zone. In the Central Valley, most of San Jose woke up this morning to overcast skies and isolated showers. On the Pacific coast, wind gusts of up to 70 km/h are expected.
Meteorologist, Rebeca Morera, said we can expect similar conditions throughout the rainy season, effects of El Niño.
Following are photos are from posts on the social media.
