Costa Rica unveils Limón flood-control plan

A flood-control plan for 79 localities of Costa Rica's Limón province was presented to President Carlos Alvarado on Sunday.

Prepared by the underground water, irrigation and drainage service (Senara) and the national emergency commission (CNE), the plan is based on studies of five local rivers during the rainy season and other weather situations over the course of one year, the government said in a release.

Flood-control measures outlined in the plan include in a first stage the construction of a 2km dike in the Madre De Dios basin and the widening of two river channels by 13.5km, all in the locality of Matina.

Another five dikes, totaling 24km, would be built on the Pacuare and Madre de Dios basins, in Siquirres canton, while a 30km river corridor would be built at Reventazón river.

These works would require investments of 2.73bn colones (US$4.75mn).

Based on the plan, other works requiring investments of 5bn colones will be carried out along Jiménez, Parismina and Reventazón rivers.

Preparation of the plan began in August last year and is expected to be completed by the end of this month.

According to CNE president Alexander Solís, the paperwork for the works could be started within the next few weeks, so that actual construction on the measures detailed in the plan can start by next year.

PICTURED: Authorities unveil the flood-control plan. CREDIT: Presidencia de Costa Rica.