The government, by way of the Coordinating Roundtable of Water Resources, announced late last week that it would implement new measures to deal with the drought situation that is affecting 95% of the population. The drought has caused major losses in farming and livestock. It has affected farm production, especially in the northwest and southwest.
Roundtable members reported that the dry spell is expected to continue for at least another 60 days.
Agriculture Minister Osmar Benitez reported that his ministry has invested over RD$150 million in support of farms and livestock affected. Olgo Fernandez, the head of the National Hydrological Institute (Indrhi) said that water for human consumption is guaranteed, but he also called on farmers not to initiate new harvests until there is official communication of the ability to sustain the crops. The Indrhi is in charge of the operation of reservoirs.
Geologist Osiris de Leon told reporters that although water for human consumption is guaranteed, the public must be made aware of the urgent need to conserve water. In Santo Domingo, the CAASD reported that more than 150 cistern trucks are distributing water to the sectors most affected.
Opposition party leader, Guillermo Moreno writes in Diario Libre that the government is acting too late. He said the forecast on the drought was known months ago and it is only now that the government is taking actions to mitigate the situation.
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Diario Libre
Diario Libre
18 March 2019