The National Meteorological Institute (IMN) warned of the formation of El Niño phenomenon which will could generate droughts in the Costa Rican Pacific and heavy rains in the Caribbean.

“The centers of investigation have indicated that during August, September and October there will be w higher probability that the El Niño phenomenon affecting the area of the Equatorial Pacific. Between November 2018 and January 2019 the probability is higher and during the months of February through April the conditions will persist since the temperatures of the tropical Pacific Ocean will rise higher than normal”, explained Juan Carlos Fallas, director of the IMN during the press conference.

Fallas also announced that a rise in the temperature in the majority of the territory is also expected.

The phenomenon will cause areas such as San Jose, Guanacaste and Puntarenas to experience a decrease in the amount of rainfall, with the possibility of droughts. The next dry season will extend and could delay the arrival of the rainy season of 2019.

The IMN and the National Emergency Commission recommended that the population and different institutions take the necessary measures to prevent wildfires and affectation of crops in the Pacific and floods and other damages in the Caribbean.