Costa Rica – Floods Leave 2 Dead, 2 Missing, Thousands Displaced

by in Americas, News

More than 3,000 people have evacuated their homes after floods in Costa Rica. Two fatalities have been reported and a further 2 people remain missing.

Floods damaged a bridge over the La Estrella river along route 36 in Talamanca Canton, Limón province, Costa Rica, July 2021. Photo: CNE / Government of Costa Rica

Heavy rain has affected the country since 22 July 2021. Several rivers have broken their banks, causing damages. Authorities said the overflowing La Estrella river severely damaged a bridge on Route 36 in Talamanca Canton, Limón province. Transport has been closed since.

The country’s emergency management department, Comisión Nacional de Emergencias (CNE), reported more than 2,700 rain-related incidents including floods, landslides and road collapses in 36 of the country’s 82 cantons in a period 22 to 26 July.

As of 26 July, 3,268 people had evacuated their homes in the cantons of Talamanca, Limón, Matina and Siquirres in Limón province; Sarapiquí in Heredia Province; Turrialba, Jiménez and Paraíso in Cartago Province; and Upala, Guatuso, San Carlos, Río Cuarto and Los Chiles in Alajuela Province.

One person died in floods in Siquirres Canton and another in Talamanca canton. Authorities are still searching for one missing person in Tucurrique and another in Siquirres. Two other people reported missing were found safe.

Flooding also affected parts of neighbouring Panama over the last few days. Almost 30,000 people were affected and 5,435 homes damaged by floods in Bocas del Toro province. Authorities reported 196.5 mm of rain fell in 24 hours to 22 July in Bocas del Toro town.

Floods damage in Turrialba Costa Rica, July 2021. Photo: CNE / Government of Costa Rica
Floods damage in Turrialba Costa Rica, July 2021. Photo: CNE / Government of Costa Rica

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