Panama Canal shut by heavy rains

Traffic through the Panama Canal - which connects the Pacific and Atlantic oceans - has been temporarily suspended because of heavy rain, BBC reported.

The canal authority said the rains had pushed water levels in lakes that form part of the canal to historic highs, potentially endangering shipping.

It is the first time the canal has had to close since the US invasion of Panama in 1989.

Officials said they hoped normal traffic could resume "within hours".

The last ship to pass through before the canal was closed left at midday, and some vessels were left idle in the waterway.

The canal authority said it was opening flood gates to reduce the water level in one of the lakes.
Around 14,000 ships pass through the Panama Canal each year, representing about 5% of world trade.