Residents are ready to flee: an entire island in the Caribbean may end up under water (3 photos + 1 video)

The island was inhabited by the indigenous Kuna people for over 100 years. Now 1,200 residents must leave their homeland before it completely disappears underwater.





A small island off the coast of Panama is slowly sinking into the sea, forcing the local population to move to the mainland.

The tiny Caribbean island of Gardi Sugdub regularly floods the sea. Located three kilometers off the coast of Panama, the island was inhabited by the indigenous Kuna people for more than 100 years and was the first place from which Latinos were resettled by the government. Now 1,200 residents must leave their homeland before it completely disappears underwater.

About 300 families are packing their belongings in preparation for dramatic changes. People who have dedicated their lives to the sea and tourism will be resettled to the mainland next week.

"We are a little sad because we will leave the houses that we have known all our lives. We will lose contact with the sea, where we fished, where we swam and where tourists came. Little by little the sea is drowning the island," says 24-year-old Nadine Morales. who is preparing to move with her mother, uncle and boyfriend.



A Panama Housing Ministry official said some people had decided to stay on the island until it became dangerous for their health, without giving a specific number. Authorities will not force them to leave, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Gardi Sugdub is one of the 50 inhabited islands in the Guna Yala archipelago. It is only 400 yards (366 meters) long and 150 yards (137 meters) wide. The Caribbean island protrudes above the water by only 40 centimeters. Every year, especially in November and December, when strong winds disperse the waves, water floods the streets and enters houses.



The indigenous people have tried to strengthen the edge of the island with stones, piles and corals, but the sea water continues to rise.

"Lately, I see that climate change has had a big impact. Now the tide is reaching levels it hasn't seen before, and the heat is becoming unbearable," Morales says.

Construction of new housing

Residents of the island of Gardi Sugdub are due to move to a new settlement on the mainland by the end of next year. The first houses for them have already been built.

However, construction is currently suspended due to lack of funding. It is unknown whether the move will be possible as planned, because there is less and less time left for a full resettlement.