With waterlogged communities, destroyed roads and lost lives on its hands, the government yesterday declared a national emergency to free up funds to help the 33 cantons recently devastated by floods and landslides.

President Oscar Arias and his brother, Presidency Minister Rodrigo Arias, made the announcement yesterday after the President's weekly Cabinet meeting. The decree will allow the National Emergency Commission (CNE) to take faster action in making necessary repairs and reconstructing damaged areas.

During the past couple of weeks, heavy rains have caused damage to about 75% of the country, driving 1,800 people to 28 shelters and damaging about 1,500 homes, 54 roads and 22 bridges around the country in areas including Atenas, northwest of San José; Acosta, southwest of San José; Parrita, on the central Pacific coast; and the northwestern Guanacaste province.

The CNE estimates damages to total more than ¢35 billion (about $68 million).

The commission is maintaining a red alert for the Guanacaste cantons of Carrillo, Hojancha, La Cruz, Liberia, Nandayure, Nicoya and Santa Cruz, as well as the central Pacific canton of Parrita.

A yellow alert is in place for the northern Pacific cantons of Bagaces, Cañas, Tilarán and Abangares; the central Pacific cantons of Orotina, San Mateo, Esparza, Montes de Oca and Aguirre; the Central Valley areas of San José, Atenas, Alajuela, San Ramón, Grecia, San Mateo, Naranjo, Palmares and Poás; the Northern Zone areas of Upala, Los Chiles and San Carlos Guatuso; the Southern Zone cantons of Osa, Corredores, Buenos Aires, Golfito, Coto Brus and Pérez Zeledón; and the cantons of Oreamuno, Paraíso, La Unión and Turrialba, east of San José, according to a statement from the CNE.

A green, preventive alert remains in effect for the Caribbean areas of Limón, Matina, Pococí, Guácimo, Siquirres and Talamanca, which have been the least effected by recent inclement weather.

-Tico Times