The intense rains recorded in recent days have severely affected multiple communities in the area. Ngäbe-Buglé regionthe province of Bocas del Toro and the north of Veraguaswhere the overflowing of rivers has impacted thousands of families and caused damage to infrastructure, crops and access roads.
According to the report of the National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc)at least six districts have been affected, with communities such as Pumona, Nueva Ventura, Samboa, Guariviara, Mancreek, Bisira, Guoroni, Kankintú and Kusapín among the hardest hit in the region.
While in Bocas del Toro, the damage is concentrated in Changuinola, specifically in Teobroma and the 4 de Abril sector, while in Veraguas areas such as Río Veraguas, Calovébora, Río Luis, Belén and Guabal stand out.
The preliminary balance reveals that some 2,954 families have been affected, which is equivalent to nearly 15 thousand people.
Among the main damages reported are the loss of agricultural crops, animals for production and consumption, damage to rural aqueducts, homes and roads. Added to this is the deterioration of several suspension bridges, which has significantly complicated mobility in areas that are difficult to access.
In communities like Chucará, the effects have been particularly serious. There, the total loss of medical supplies at the health post was reported, after floods covered more than half of the structure. In addition, in different areas there have been landslides and fallen trees that have blocked roads, forcing clearing work to be carried out to restore traffic.
The authorities also confirmed the death of a 16-year-old minor in the community of Guoroni, district of Kankintú, who was swept away by the sudden flooding of a river, evidencing the level of risk faced by these populations.
Although nearly 90% of the homes in these regions are tambo-type (elevated from the ground), which has allowed structural damage to be reduced, the material losses remain significant and directly affect the food security and living conditions of the residents.
In the educational field, the Ministry of Education reported the closure of all schools on the northern coast of Veraguas, while in Bocas del Toro at least 13 schools remain closed preventively.
In the Ngäbe-Buglé region, evaluations continue to determine the impact on schools.
Against this backdrop, the Government maintains humanitarian assistance and damage assessment operations, in coordination with institutions such as the National Aeronaval Service, the Agricultural Marketing Institute and the Ministry of Health, with the aim of serving the affected communities and restoring basic conditions in the impacted areas.
