Another tropical wave is expected to hit Costa Rica on Friday and Saturday, bringing heavy rains to the Caribbean coast and northern part of the country.
The National Emergency Commission (CNE) issued a red alert for the cantons of Valle de la Estrella, Turrialba, SarapiquÃ, Matina y Talamanca. A yellow alert was issued in Limón, Alvarado, Siquirres, San Isidro, and Jiménez.
San Carlos, Upala, Los Chiles, Guácimo and Pococà are under a green alert.
According to the National Meteorological Institute (IMN), the heavy rains will come from a tropical wave like the one that hit the country last week and caused widespread flooding and landslides. This is now the 18th tropical wave to hit Costa Rica this year.
The CNE says heavy rains have already affected 573 communities and displaced nearly 1,500 people. The incidents include 216 reports of flooding and 23 landslides. In response to the widespread damage, the government has opened 19 shelters to house 437 affected families.
The government has also assessed the financial cost of some of the damage done by the heavy rains. Committees for Municipal Emergencies (CMEs) report road damage to be 7.5 billion colones, while the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock says damage to thousands of farms has cost 6.4 billion colones so far.
