The National Emergency Commission (CNE) declared the afternoon of this Wednesday green alert for the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, due to the heavy rains that have affected the area in the past 24 hours and that are expected to continue through this Thursday.

The alert applies for the South, Central, and North Pacific. The south zone, or Zona Sur, has been the most affected so far by floods, fallen trees, landslides and overflowing rivers, particularly the counties of Golfito, Osa, and Puerto Jimenez. Other areas such as Santa Cruz, La Cruz and Bagaces in Guanacaste have also reported incidents although of smaller magnitude.

According to the Costa Rica Meteorological Institute, the rainy conditions of the past few days in are caused in part by the influence of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). The conditions are expected to persist through this Wednesday evening and the morning of this Thursday.

In total, 31 incidents were registered in the Pacific Coast mostly related to floods and overflowing rivers, leaving 20 families affected in the communities of Puerto Escondido and Carate in Puerto Jiménez.

The Emergency Committees of each Municipality have activated their protocols, so the needs of the families affected have been handled locally without the need for opening shelters.

The National Emergency Commission recommends precaution in all communities in the Pacific Coast, especially those close to rivers or areas in danger of landslides.

Some of these communities are still recovering from the effects of Tropical Storm Nate.