The Panama Canal has announced that it is keeping the Gamboa port closed due to a water release from the Madden Dam, caused by heavy rainfall in the canal's basin over the past few weeks.
According to an informational note, this measure is being implemented to carry out cleanup activities of vegetation dragged by the current after constant rains in the canal basin. The state-owned company urges residents and the general public to be alert to the sound of sirens, which indicate an imminent water release.
Citizens are requested to refrain from circulating in the area, as they could put their safety at risk and, at the same time, hinder cleanup operations. Due to the reservoirs being at maximum capacity, the Canal announced 10 days ago that it would carry out preventive releases at the Gatún and Madden dams.
Residents near the Chagres River had observed on social media that they had not seen it so full in over a decade, mainly due to the water releases that are carried out. In these cases, people must leave the river or bodies of water immediately and move to high ground outside the floodplains.
The Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology has issued a watch advisory until December 1st due to significant rainfall and electrical activity in much of the country.
