Bocas del Toro communities face six days without water after aqueduct damage

Six days without water have left communities in Bocas del Toro struggling after heavy rains caused the Risco River to overflow, damaging the rural aqueduct that supplies water to Valle Risco, Oriente de Risco, Soledad de Risco, and Punta Peña.

The flooding has not only cut off water access but also washed away crops essential for families' sustenance. Residents face difficulties reaching farms located on the other side of the river, impacting their ability to access homes and schools.

Ignacio Beker, a resident, described the hardship, particularly for children who are enduring hunger due to the loss of vegetables. "It has left especially without water and the children have been enduring hunger and, apart from this, the river also swept away the vegetables that we always use to eat," he said.

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It has left especially without water and the children have been enduring hunger and, apart from this, the river also swept away the vegetables that we always use to eat.

Provincial Governor Marcela Madrid confirmed that authorities, including the National Council for Sustainable Development (Conades) and the Ministry of Health, have assessed the damage. "We have noticed that in the community of Soledad de Risco there is an aqueduct that was affected by the river's rising waters, it is already being attended to; however, that part of the community is without water," Madrid stated.

While repairs are underway, authorities are providing bottled water and seeking assistance from neighboring communities to supply affected families. The exact duration of the repairs and when full water service will be restored remains unspecified.

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We have noticed that in the community of Soledad de Risco there is an aqueduct that was affected by the river's rising waters, it is already being attended to; however, that part of the community is without water.