Costa Rica’s Caribbean region hit by heavy rains, flooding

National Emergency Commission (CNE) officials on Monday reported that a preventive alert in the Caribbean province of Limón will remain in force throughout the week after heavy weekend rains damaged 280 homes and prompted the evacuation of at least 35 people.

The local airport in Limón was closed Saturday as rains completely flooded the landing strip.

On Monday morning, CNE’s monitoring stations in the region reported a significant decrease in rainfall, but emergency response agencies will remain vigilant. According to National Meteorological Institute (IMN) forecasts, heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected in the northern and southern Caribbean beginning on Monday afternoon and continuing throughout the week.

A low-pressure system is causing increased rainfall that likely will surpass the month’s average. Rainfall over the weekend reached a total of 9 inches, while the average for the entire month in Limón is 13 inches, according to the IMN.

CNE officials over the weekend activated surveillance checkpoints in six Caribbean cantons: Pococí, Guácimo, Matina, Siquirres, Limón and Talamanca. In these areas constant rains have caused most of the flooding in homes and sewers.

Increased rainfall also is expected in the Central Valley due to the low-pressure system and the start of this year’s rainy season, the IMN reported.