Intense Rains in Panama Cause Flooding and Landslides

Intense rains recorded throughout most of Saturday caused multiple impacts in the provinces of Herrera and Los Santos. In the district of Las Minas, there was damage in the area known as La Yesca del Nanzal, where authorities are conducting assessments due to possible risks from ground saturation and damage to a ford. Among the affected areas, a landslide was reported on Loma San Pedro, on the road connecting Los Cerritos with Los Pozos head, in the district of Los Pozos. Another critical situation was recorded on the Pesé – Los Pozos road, in the Rincón Hondo community, where a flood undermined part of the asphalt pavement, exposing the road structure. Authorities toured the affected points and recommended that the population travel with extreme caution on the affected roads, pay attention to preventive signals, due to the possibility of new floods or landslides caused by soil saturation. Since early Saturday, the La Villa river recorded a significant increase in its flow, causing concern among residents of vulnerable areas. Meanwhile, in the province of Los Santos, the rains caused flooding in the Villa Bonita sector, where at least 23 homes were affected by water ingress. Emergency teams remain deployed at critical points, reported the governor of the province of Herrera, Elías Corro, who indicated that crews from several institutions are working to promptly address the incidents caused by the bad weather and work for the safety of the residents. In these regions of the country, landslides, road damage, undermining, damage to homes, and the temporary suspension of the Roberto Reyna water treatment plant were reported. Technical personnel from the Ministry of Public Works (MOP) assessed the damage to define the repairs that will allow full restoration of circulation on this route. The landslide caused by the rains partially obstructed vehicular traffic, so maintenance crews and heavy equipment deployed to the site performed removal and clearance work on the roadway to ensure safe passage. To these events was added the suspension of operations of the Roberto Reyna water treatment plant, located in Chitré, which has been out of service since early morning due to an increase in turbidity at the water intake, affecting the supply in the district of Chitré.