Some 60,000 people in Alajuela have been without water since Wednesday afternoon, while another 24,000 in Puriscal also remained without water Thursday, after electrical disturbances caused by powerful winds damaged pumping stations, the Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (AyA) reported Thursday afternoon.

In Alajuela, officials said it would take until Saturday afternoon to restore water flow, after strong winds damaged the electric supply to a pumping station, causing significant damage to a pump.

The affected areas are Barrio San Jose, Coyol, Monserrat, and El Coco, all located in Alajuela. Cistern trucks have been deployed to deliver water to those affected until service can be restored, officials from the Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (AyA) said.

The damage to the pumping system is estimated at about ¢30 million (~ $56,000 USD).

Meanwhile, in Puriscal, AyA reported that some 24,000 more people were without water, also due to damage caused by heavy wind to electric systems serving pumping stations. Amongst the neighborhoods and areas affected in Puriscal are Santiago, San Antonio, Candelarita, Mercedes Norte, Barbacoas and Piedades, in addition to many other areas. AyA said in a press statement Thursday that those affected would be delivered water by cistern trucks.  It was not immediately clear when service would be restored.