PANAMA CITY, Nov 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Panamanian authorities said at least four people were killed and two others missing due to continuous heavy rains, causing landslides and floods in many localities of this Central American country.
Severe weather conditions have prompted Panama to issue a red alert as heavy rains cause flooding, landslides, bridge collapses and fallen trees in the provinces of Veraguas, Herrera, Chiriqui, Bocas del Toro and Los Santos. The rest of Panama remains on yellow alert.
Panamanian authorities were forced to evacuate and provide emergency relief to more than 200 households in danger due to floods and landslides in the localities.
Among the dead were a two-year-old girl from Ngabe Bugle who was swept away by floodwaters while crossing a river with her mother, and a police officer who was trying to rescue people from a landslide in Veraguas province.
Panamanian authorities are also searching for two men in their 50s who are missing in the highlands of Chiriqui province, which borders Costa Rica.
Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino expressed his condolences to the families of those killed and affected by the floods, and urged people to take disaster prevention measures, avoid crossing rivers when water levels are high, and stay updated with weather information.
On the same day, the Panama Meteorological Institute warned that the Central American country will continue to have heavy rain and strong winds until Nov 5, especially in the northern region. Unfavorable weather conditions forced many Panamanian provinces to cancel the organization of the country’s traditional parade festivals. — NNN-AGENCIES
