Week 8: Mass Wasting Risks in Panama

Week 8: Mass Wasting Risks


Occasionally, there are some mass wasting risks that occur in Panama. When talking about mass wasting, we're describing the risks of landslides, mudslides, and rockslides, which are the results of flooding and heavy rainfall. When heavy rain occurs, sloped areas become soaked which causes no root support and the soil just runs off. In Panama, they receive some hurricanes and a good amount of heavy rainfall especially during the hurricane/rainy season which occurs during June to November in the Atlantic.

Panama – Deadly Landslide in Panama District – FloodList

Panama is no stranger to landslides since they receive a lot of heavy rainfall and they have had some devastating landslides in the past. In November 2022, there was a devastating and deadly landslide that took place in Cativá, Panama which took two lives in the process. The cause of this deadly landslide was heavy rains that inhabited the country of Panama which also caused flooding as well. The previous day, there was another landslide in Las Cumbres, Panama where there was properties destroyed including a wall of a building collapsing. When hazards like heavy rain, flooding, and landslides happen, it is best to be aware of what is happening and be prepared to act in case if you have to evacuate for your safety.

References:

Davies, Richard. “Panama – Deadly Landslide in Colón, Floods Damage Homes in Los Santos and Herrera.” FloodList, 22 Nov. 1970, floodlist.com/america/panama-floods-landslides-november-2022. 

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. “Foreign Travel Advice - Panama.” GOV.UK, GOV.UK, 21 Aug. 2023, www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/panama/natural-disasters#:~:text=Hurricane%2FRainy%20Season,the%20heaviest%20months%20of%20rainfall. 


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