The dry season in Costa Rica seemed shorter this time around, the rain carried on well into December, the country just got through tropical storms and cold fronts and the rain is already appearing again.

This week the area of Parrita in Quepos and some areas of San Jose were surprised with strong rain fall that caused even small floods in a few locations.

The National Meteorological Institute expects that the transition to the rainy season by next weekend but the rainy season it will consolidate between May 11 and the 15 with heavy rainfall; while the National Emergency Commission reminds of the importance of keeping the garbage out of the streets since 75% of the floods are caused due to the collapse of the sewage system as a result of the garbage accumulated.

Last year the Municipality of San Jose reported that they cleaned close to 30 tons of trash from the San Jose sewage system every week. The problem remains the same: “We collect the trash, but people just continue to throw trash where it doesn’t belong, the sewage system is just one of them, empty lots, rivers serve the same purpose. It is a cultural thing, we take out the trash today and tomorrow it’s filled up again”, said a worker at the San José Municipality.

The problem gets worse as many of the sewage systems are missing their lid, the lids are stolen and the trash goes straight to the pipes.

April will continue with hot, sunny mornings and sporadic afternoon showers.