No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeTopicsEnvironment and WildlifeLarge mudslide partially blocks Sarapiquí River in Alajuela

Large mudslide partially blocks Sarapiquí River in Alajuela

Officials at the National Emergency Commission (CNE) confirmed that a mudslide Thursday night partially has blocked the Sarapiquí River in north-central Costa Rica.

Red Cross spokesman Alexander Porras said Friday that some 150 cubic meters of mud and debris currently are blocking a large part of the river flow, in an unpopulated area of Nueva Cinchona, north of Alajuela.

Local residents said they heard loud noises coming from the mountains along the river around 10:30 p.m. on Thursday. Those reports were followed by several more reports of a severe decrease in the river flow and of muddy water coming out from the local aqueduct, according to the Red Cross and CNE.

CNE geologists on Friday conducted an on-the-ground inspection and confirmed the largest accumulation of debris is located some 20 kilometers from the nearest community, at La Virgen de Sarapiquí, and that it currently does not pose any immediate threat for its residents.

Mudslide at Sarapiquí
(Courtesy of Red Cross)

The large accumulation of water and debris however worries CNE experts who are evaluating the possibility of more mudslides or flash floods occurring at the site.

They however already ruled out that the mudslide may affect the bridge at La Paz Waterfall. Last year a strong river surge washed away the old Bailey bridge.

Geologists will continue assessing the situation. They’ll take a closer look at public infrastructures located in the area including a bridge in Santiaguito and various facilities belonging to the Costa Rica Electricity Institute in Cariblanco.

CNE recommends residents and visitors to remain on alert and avoid recreational activities along the Sarapiqui River unitl all evaluations at the site are completed. The area is a popular destination for tourists who enjoy rafting, fishing and other outdoor activities.

Trending Now

Costa Rica’s Role in US Deportation Drama with Salvadoran Migrant

A Salvadoran man at the center of a heated US immigration battle could end up in Costa Rica if he accepts a guilty plea,...

Fan Violence in Latin American Football Spurs Debate on Security and Culture

Images of a fan jumping from the stands to escape a beating as bottles, rocks and seats fly through the air at a game...

Honduras agrees to receive migrants under new US deportation agreement

The US has signed a new deportation agreement with Honduras, allowing officials to send migrants from other countries there instead of keeping them in...

Mexico Battles Wildfire Damage with Drone-Based Reforestation

Authorities in the state of Michoacán, in western Mexico, are using drones to scatter seeds from the air in an effort to reforest hundreds...

Costa Rica Replaces One-Lane Bridges as Traffic and Population Grow

As the infrastructure of Costa Rica advances, with new four-lane highways and a series of bypasses around San José that avoid the narrow, congested...

In Costa Rica, Rare White-Lipped Peccaries Still Survive

Today we meet the white-lipped peccary, a large animal that travels in large groups that has disappeared from a large part of its historical...
L. Arias
L. Arias
Reporter | The Tico Times |
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica