After swamping Panama with heavy rain, Tropical Storm Otto is forecast to regain hurricane strength before slamming into Nicaragua and Costa Rica on Thursday, the National Hurricane Center said.

    If the storm strengthens as forecast, Otto would be Costa Rica's first direct hit from a hurricane since accurate records began in 1851, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said. It would be just the third November hurricane to strike Nicaragua, according to the USA Today.

    A hurricane warning remains in effect for portions of the east coasts of Nicaragua and Costa Rica. About 4,000 people have been evacuated from coastal sections of Costa Rica.

    Up to 20 inches of rain are possible across northern Costa Rica and southern Nicaragua through Thursday, the hurricane center said. Such a deluge will likely result in life-threatening flash floods and mudslides. A storm surge of up to 4 feet could also swamp coastal areas.

Source: QNA