Tropical storms passings serve to remind the country that the lack of enforcement of land planning enables thousands of people to build in vulnerable areas. Many of these are areas where rivers passed but had dried out over years of drought. Others are areas where there can be landslides. Constructions in violation of government regulations are also known about when tragedy strikes during a heavy rainstorm.
El Caribe carries a report on the 1,006 vulnerable areas identified by the Civil Defense, the para-government organization.
According to the report, the region of the country with the greatest number of vulnerable areas is the Central Cibao. The provinces of La Vega, Monseñor Nouel and Sánchez Ramírez have the most communities at risk to natural disasters. In La Vega, damages are usually caused by the flooding of the Camú and Jima rivers.
The second most vulnerable area is the North Central Cibao, with Santiago, Espaillat and Puerto Plata as sensitive areas. The good news is that historically few hurricanes and storms have affected Puerto Plata. The lack of preparation of its residents makes it vulnerable, though.
Azua, in the south of the country, is also another area hit by storms and cyclones, which bring the flooding of rivers and streams.
There is also the Greater Santo Domingo, with 101 vulnerable areas, 88 belonging to Santo Domingo province and 13 to the National District, all of which are prone to flooding and landslides. Of these zones, 17 are in Santo Domingo East, such as La Barquita, Los Tres Brazos, El Tamarindo, Cancino, Los Mina Viejo and Ensanche Ozama.
Another 13 are in Santo Domingo West, including Bayona, Las Caobas, El Café and Hato Nuevo. There are 21 vulnerable areas in Santo Domingo North, such as El Manguito, Los Coordinadores (Barquita) and Villa Esperanza.
Likewise, in the National District, vulnerable areas are La Cienaga, Guachupita, Los Guandules, Gualey, Las Cañitas, Simón Bolívar, Capotillo, La Zurza, 27 de Febrero, Cristo Rey, La Puya de Arroyo Hondo, El Aguacatico and Los Ríos. Tropical Storm Laura caused major damages this time around in Los Ríos.
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El Caribe
25 August 2020