Panama Weather - “El Nino”?
Heavy Rains and High Winds
I haven’t heard about ‘El nino’ (the climatic condition) for a long time. Yet that was the explanation I received today when I asked about the changes in the weather in Panama.
Two weeks ago, I experienced my worst rainy day since being in Panama. Even before I arrived I was advised that I was arriving in the ‘Panama wet season’ which runs from April - December. There is no exaggeration when I tell you that it rains almost everyday here in Colon and most of Panama.
Soon it was easy to predict that by 11:00am it would start raining. However, when October came around this was no longer easy to do. And now in November, well let’s just say when I have half of one day in a week with no rain - ALL that comes to my mind is washing. Even if that day is a Sunday:-)
Dreadful Thunderstorms
Two weeks ago I had what was then my worst encounter with the weather. Heading home in the night from Bible Study was one scary trip. The highway was flooded and what looked and felt like rivers were rushing down toward us. There were several disabled vehicles that couldn’t manage the flooded streets. It was dark, visibility was poor with the thunderstorm in full force. It was no fun. A normal 10-15 mins drive took us a little over a hour.
This morning when I heard the winds about to take off the roof - I did wonder what new surprises Panama’s weather had in store for me. Well sure enough, when I arrived in Colon (reluctantly I tell you!!), on one of the streets nearby the church an old apartment building had crumbled with the force of the winds. I heard reports of several other homes that lost their roof as well. Thankfully, no one got hurt in any of the incidents.
The day was the darkest I’ve ever seen it and there were frequent power cuts just few minutes apart. Since I had the Radio Program tonight, I decided not to return home but to stay in the office until about 6:30 then head over to MannaFM. Well at about 6:10pm I went in the bathroom to freshen up when wham - NO Light! I waited for it to come back on then realized it was really gone this time.
Thanks to the light on my cell phone I found my way back to my office and met a frantic caretaker who knew I was alone in the building. The rain and wind was still at it. By the time my ride picked me up to go to the Radio Station, I learnt that MannaFM was knocked off air. So, no program. We went by the radio station just in case it came back and then eventually left as nothing changed except the rain coming down harder and the winds stronger.
So that’s the story of ‘El Nino’ - what havoc he wreaks!
Off to snuggle up…. Don’t worry my flashlight is right next to me and “Jah is my keeper”.
Marvia
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Marvia
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