1.500 In Shelters, One Death Results Of  Weekend Rains

Following more than two days of constant rain has taken its toll, affecting mostly the eastern part of Costa Rica - the provinces of Cartago and Limón and responsible for at least one death and four missing.



The Comision Nacional de Emergencias (CNE) - national emergency commission - declared a "yellow alert" and forced the voluntary night closure of the Ruta 32 as a preventive measure against possible landslides.

The Cruz Roja (Red Cross) reports that the person they rescued after a landslide, died on the way to hospital from injuries and heart failure.

More than 1.500 from the areas east of Cartago, including Turrialba, are this morning in shelters, while other communities are waiting on CNE efforts to bring them aid.



Guillermo Arroyo, director of operations of the Costa Rican Red Cross, said that there are reports of people trapped in their homes which are flooded due to the overflow of the Chirripo river.

Heavy rains, landslides, road closures and alerts are typical of the rainy season that runs from May to November.

The rains that began on Friday are due to a low pressure system hanging over Central America. Panama, Nicaragua and Honduras all report problems with the weather conditions.

However, the worst of the weekend may be over. For the first time in days, the sun shone on the Central Valley this Monday morning.