By Wendy Anders

Rains over the past two days in northern Costa Rica are causing flooding in the same low-lying rural areas that were severely affected by Hurricane Otto less than a month ago, reported the National Meteorological Institute (IMN) yesterday morning.

At least five families were evacuated from Upala yesterday morning due to flooding of the Zapote River, reported Costa Rica’s main Spanish language daily, La Nación.

Reports from local emergency officials said the five families who left their houses were affected by the rivers’ swelling waters, and at least five others reported some damages but did not want to abandon their homes.

A flood alert was activated yesterday morning at 5:00 a.m. in Upala and Guatuso in nothern Costa Rica. Meteorologists predicted that rains would subside by late Wednesday.

Meanwhile in southern Costa Rica, a high pressure system located in the Caribbean has caused some welcome dry conditions after November’s intense rains, said the IMN.

Hurricane Otto’s passage over northern Costa Rica in late November caused the Zapote River to swell, and resulting destruction of hundreds of homes, many crops, and dozens of businesses in northern Costa Rica along the Nicaraguan border.