PANAMA CITY, Panama, Nov. 22 (UPI) — Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela said at least three people have died in severe weather caused by Tropical Storm Otto, which was expected to become a hurricane Tuesday.
“We regret the death of three people — product of the climatic conditions generated by the Tropical Storm Otto,” Varela said during a press conference. “We ask for calm from the public and to take necessary precautionary measures.”
“With the red alert for these three provinces, available resources are mobilized to emergency care,” Jose Donderis, director general of Panama’s National Civil Protection System, said during the press conference. “We ask the population to keep informed by state communications that emit information.”
Panama’s Ministry of Education said it has suspended classes nationwide due to “heavy rains generated by the Tropical Storm Otto.”
Panama’s presidential office said Varela has contacted the families of those who died.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center said that Otto, which had maximum sustained winds of 70 mph, is expected to turn into a hurricane on Tuesday.
“Otto is stationary and a westward drift is expected to begin later today, followed by a faster westward motion on Wednesday,” the NHC said Tuesday. “On the forecast track, Otto should be approaching the coasts of Nicaragua and Costa Rica on Thursday.”
A hurricane watch was in effect for Costa Rica and Panama. Up to 20 inches of rain could fall in northern Costa Rica and southern Nicaragua through Thursday.
“These rains will likely result in life-threatening flash floods and mud slides,” the NHC added.
