Note: This report is based primarily on information provided by the National Emergency Commission (CNE) to the Resident Coordinator's Office. Other sources include main newspapers, the National Meteorological Institute, as well as interviews with national counterparts.
A. Description of the adverse effect:
North Pacific, Central Pacific, South Pacific, Northern area and Central Valley regions of Costa Rica have suffered extensive flooding, landslides and blockages of roads, due to heavy rains since Sunday, 12th October. The southern part of Central America is affected by low pressure systems that led to the creation of Tropical Depression 16 at the Caribbean Sea, in front of Gracias a Dios Cape in Honduras. As of October 14th, the phenomenon has been affecting Costa Rica and weather conditions are expected to improve within the next few days.
To date, 51 cantons (out of a total of 81) are either on Red or Yellow Alert with 279 communities affected (10,365 persons in total) The CNE, leads the coordination of response activities and chairs the national entities that conform the National Risk Management National System.
An Executive Emergency Decree is to be issued in the coming hours to speed up the national response.