The heavy rains that began falling late last week have caused flooding, leaving six towns isolated and damaging at least 150 homes in rural areas in northern Costa Rica near the border with Nicaragua, a National Emergency Management Commission (CNE) spokesman said.

Reynaldo Castaño, coordinator of the CNE office in Upala, told the press six towns were cut off by the downpours, which washed out roads.

Officials opened two temporary shelters on Friday for some 30 families whose dwellings were flooded when the Guacalito, Niño and Cabeza de León rivers overflowed their banks.

A total of 110 people were evacuated from the area, where most residents are farmers who fear the torrential rains may have seriously damaged the bean crop.