OVER 3,000 people  have been affected  by flooding in various parts of the country following heavy rains on Tuesday October 18.

José Donderis, director general of the civil defense agency, Sinaproc, says that personnel have been dispatched to assess damage in Los Santos, the Darién, Panama and Veraguas.

Some 620 houses have been affected,said Donderis.

Most of the affected houses were in the Darién communities of Sambu (260 houses affected) and Puerto Indio (227 houses.)

In Los Santos, the Tonosi River overflowed.

Meanwhile, high tides in Panama West  have caused damage in 56 residences in Puerto Caimito, El Astillero (27), Kosovo (20) and Playa Leone (9).

Donderis reiterated the call to residents living in coastal areas and places vulnerable to flooding to take the appropriate precautions, especially during high tides.