On Tuesday 25 April 2017, President Danilo Medina flew to the Maria Montez International Airport in Barahona with government officials to meet the local authorities and to see for himself damages caused by heavy rains in the southwestern provinces.
Three people are reported to have died due to flooding in the Enriquillo area in Barahona. The authorities announced they have found the body of 72-year old Esmeraldo Pérez Turbí, along with his wife, 51-year old Griselda Cuevas, as well as a person yet to be identified. It is assumed that the victims drowned when the house they lived in, located in El Naranjal de Enriquillo, Barahona, was washed into the San Jimuri River.
Barahona governor, Pedro Peña Rubio said that the rains have been tragic for the area, both to agriculture and the local population. Peña Rubio has asked the government to declare a state of emergency in the area that would trigger special assistance from the government and facilitate expedited procurement contracting.
The President was expected to visit several parts of the province including Polo, Tamayo, Enriquillo, Paraíso, Habanero, Pescadería, Jaquimeyes, El Peñón, Cabral, among others.
Read more in Spanish:
Listin Diario
El Caribe
26 April 2017
