Torrential rains over Thursday, 1 January, and Friday, 2 January, caused floods in the northwest, affecting crops and housing. Reports are that over 200 families have lost their homes, and a 12-year old boy died in a landslide, when a wall of his dwelling caved in. The Santiago-Sosua highway was affected by landslides in several areas of the highway, revealing construction defects. Preliminary reports estimate losses to agriculture at RD$1,000 million. On the positive side, it is expected that the hydroelectric power plants will be able to increase their contribution to the electricity network.
