Veraguas river flooding leaves one dead and one missing

Heavy rainfall and rising river levels in the Veraguas province of Panama have resulted in the death of a 78-year-old man and the disappearance of an 84-year-old man in the Soná district. The body of the 78-year-old was located by SINAPROC personnel near the convergence of the San Pablo and Cobre rivers.

Search operations are currently underway in the San Rafael River in Cative to locate the missing 84-year-old. Emergency services and local community members are coordinating searches, though efforts are complicated by rapidly changing water levels.

Authorities report that Veraguas has seen 13 deaths by immersion so far this year. SINAPROC has issued safety warnings, advising the public to avoid crossing rivers or flooded areas, even if water levels appear low, and to stay away from riverbanks during heavy rain.