Panama Canal reservoirs nearing maximum capacity

Water levels in the Gatún and Alhajuela reservoirs, both of which are major components of the Panama Canal, have surpassed their maximum operating capacity due to heavy rainfall, canal authority ACP said in a release.

In the case of Gatún, water levels have reached 26.8m, while in Alhajuela, they stood at 77.0m on Tuesday morning.

Given that the rains in the area are expected to continue over the next few days, ACP is warning residents of neighboring localities to watch out for sounds indicating possible discharges of water, which would mainly affect the localities of Guayabalito and Santa Rosa.

According to ACP, residents need to stay away from the banks of the Chagres river and flood areas immediately after hearing the alarm bells sound.

The preventive discharge measures are implemented to prevent floods near the canal's locks and its other infrastructure.