The Center for Emergency Operations (COE) in its Tuesday, 2 May 2017 report issued at 6pm, says that two provinces continue in red alert – Duarte and San Cristóbal.
In its wrap-up for the day on the heavy rains affecting the nation, the COE stated that almost 17,000 had to leave their dwellings, 65 communities are incommunicated and 39 aqueducts have been affected. Yellow alerts continue in place for Monte Plata, Monseñor Nouel (Bonao), San José de Ocoa, María Trinidad Sánchez, La Vega (Jarabacoa), El Seibo, La Altagracia, Hato Mayor, San Pedro de Macorís, Sánchez Ramírez. Green alerts were issued for Samaná, Santiago, Peravia, Barahona, Greater Santo Domingo, Azua and Hermanas Mirabal (Salcedo).
Earlier, the Ministry of Public Works (MOPC) had reported that at least 42 bridges have collapsed, 13 roads damaged, 16 countryside roads affected and numerous supporting walls destroyed in the south of the country due to the rains.
MOPC say they are now working on quantifying the damage in San Cristóbal, including in the communities of Cambita and Garabito. According to MOPC spokesman, Ramón Antonio Pepín, MOPC has begun to repair the roads that link San Cristóbal with Cambita.
Gloria Ceballos, director of the National Weather Office (Onamet) said that the heaviest rain events over the weekend were in Samaná province with 239.4mm following by Villa Altagracia with112.0mm; Arroyo Barril Airport with 106.8mm and Juma-Bonao with 103.6mm. Bonao and Cabrera also received a lot of rain with 98. 8mm and 98.5mm being recorded, respectively.
The intense rain lead to the flooding of the International Airport in Punta Cana and a light aircraft was flipped over by the wind. There were no reports of injuries with the car park being the most affected, and airplane traffic continued normally.
Many areas are without water, including more than 30 neighborhoods in Santo Domingo West, due to damage to the Haina Manoguayabo aqueduct. The director of CAASD, Alejandro Montás, has asked for patience and understanding from the population as the agency repairs the damage caused by the storms.
Read more in Spanish:
Diario Libre
El Nacional
3 May 2017
