The Yaque and Yuna river basins in the north of the country are still on red alert following the heavy rains and flooding of the last few days. The emergency zone stretches from Cotui to Samana Bay in the northeast and from Santiago to Monte Cristi in the northwest. The authorities say they have rescued 22,000 people from the affected areas and estimate that a total of 65,000 people have been affected by the flooding. The emergency response teams were able to distribute over 14,000 ration packs containing basic foodstuffs to some of those stranded by the rising waters. They are also sending blankets, drinking water and medical supplies to the victims. People are being advised to boil river water before drinking it. No more casualties have been reported after the initial count of four dead and two injured, but the toll has been high. El Caribe reports that in Monte Cristi alone, over 15,000 people have been left homeless. Many communities have been cut off, and 100,000 tareas of agricultural land is under water. The meteorological forecast is reassuring: the low pressure has weakened and the cold front has moved eastwards, meaning the worst should be over.
Diario Libre’s main editorial comments that while nature was responsible for the disaster and nothing could have been done to prevent it, now is the time for the authorities to mobilize aid, food and medical supplies to ease the victims’ suffering. It is also a time for solidarity for those who are able to contribute towards rebuilding what was lost.