While El Niño has brought floods to the United States and South American nations, the contrary has happened in most of the Dominican Republic. Only Montecristi, in the northwest has recently suffered intense rains and floods. The rest of the land has suffered the effects of a long drought. President Leonel Fernandez declared that the supply of potable water is in an emergency state. The government allotted RD$185 million this week for an emergency fund to improve potable water supply. The drought has affected most of the water systems in the capital city of Santo Domingo, which are operating below capacity. The government is urging the rational use of potable water.
