National drill suspended in Panama while warnings are issued for storms in areas hit by the earthquake

The National Civil Protection System suspended the evacuation drill scheduled for Monday, October 12, due to earthquake response efforts. (Illustrative image Infobae)The National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc) suspended the III National Evacuation Drill, scheduled for Monday, October 12, at 10:00 a.m., after Panama was shaken by a magnitude 7.5 earthquake, one of the strongest felt in the country in its recent history. The decision was announced on Saturday, October 10, while emergency agencies continued dealing with the consequences of the earthquake that occurred on Friday. The efforts include assessing homes and public buildings, transporting humanitarian aid, and assisting communities affected by damage to roads and bridges. Through its official statement number four, Sinaproc reported that all preparatory activities for the drill are also suspended until further notice. The measure covers public and private institutions, educational centers, local governments, and other organizations that would participate in the national exercise. The institution explained that the priority is to keep resources available to protect the population, continue monitoring seismic activity, and assess the impacts. A new date for the drill will be announced later through official Civil Protection channels. The Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology of Panama issued an advisory for rain and thunderstorms covering several provinces affected by the earthquake. (Illustrative image Infobae)The suspension comes at a time of particular concern, as aftershocks from the earthquake have continued through Saturday and numerous families remain outside their homes for fear of new tremors. Authorities are maintaining inspections to determine which buildings can be safely occupied. Added to this situation is a weather watch for rain and thunderstorms issued by the Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology of Panama (IMHPA). The warning is in effect from 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 10, until 1:00 p.m. on Monday, October 12. The advisory covers the Caribbean slope, Chiriquí, central and southern Veraguas, Herrera, Los Santos, and Coclé, as well as Panamá Oeste, Panamá, Darién, and the Emberá-Wounaan territory. Several of these regions are also among those most affected by the earthquake, adding difficulties to assistance operations. For Saturday afternoon, the IMHPA forecast heavy downpours accompanied by thunderstorms in the western and central regions, mainly in Pacific sectors near the Central Mountain Range and in the mountainous areas of the Azuero Peninsula. Authorities reported 27 people injured, impacts on 419 educational centers, and damage to homes and health facilities after the earthquake. EFE/ Bienvenido Velasco The forecast warns that on Sunday, October 11, atmospheric instability will increase due to the activation of the monsoon trough and the interaction of wind flows. These conditions could produce widespread rainfall until the early hours of Monday, with the greatest impact in the eastern part of the country. Expected accumulations range between 120 and 200 millimeters of rain in parts of the Caribbean slope, Darién, southern Veraguas, the mountains of Azuero, and the coasts of Chiriquí. In mountainous sectors of Chiriquí and the Ngäbe-Buglé territory, they could reach between 201 and 280 millimeters. The meteorological agency also warned that soil saturation is between 65% and 90% in sectors of the western and central parts of the country. This condition increases the probability of river flooding and landslides, especially where rainfall is persistent. The warning is particularly relevant because the earthquake has already caused damage to roads and bridges in several provinces. The rains could complicate access to communities that need food, water, medical assistance, and safety assessments of their infrastructure. The magnitude 7.5 earthquake, recorded on Friday, October 9, had its epicenter 39 kilometers northwest of Tonosí, on the Azuero Peninsula, at a depth of four kilometers. USGS The earthquake occurred on Friday, October 9, at around 12:56 p.m., with an epicenter near Tonosí, on the Azuero Peninsula. Its magnitude was set at 7.5 by the Institute of Geosciences of the University of Panama, while the United States Geological Survey placed it at 7.7. According to the official tally released on Saturday, at least 27 people were injured, with minor to moderate wounds. Authorities had not reported any deaths or missing persons, although assessments were continuing in various regions of the national territory. The report also identified 426 homes affected, 419 educational centers damaged, and 21 health facilities compromised. Added to this are nine bridges damaged in the affected areas, as well as churches, government buildings, and other structures that require inspections to determine their safety conditions. The Government declared a state of emergency and authorized the use of up to $100 million to address the consequences of the disaster. The funds will finance humanitarian assistance and urgent recovery work while institutions complete the damage assessment. Amid these operations, Sinaproc asked people to avoid flooded areas and places prone to landslides, not to take shelter under trees during thunderstorms, and to keep drains clear. It also recommended preparing an emergency backpack and following only the instructions of the competent authorities.