Communications spokesman of the Presidency, Homero Figueroa called the present drought the worse to affect the country since 1997.
At present, Greater Santo Domingo dwellers are feeling the drought and many condominiums have had to resort to purchasing water from tank delivery trucks. The situation also affects the rest of the country.
The Presidency reports the drought has negatively impacted the water flows of the larger dam system. The President says the normal flow at Sabana Yegua, Sabaneta, Tavera-Bao, Monción, Rincón, Hatillo, Jigüey, Valdesia, Maguaca and Chacuey dams is down 60%. “The situation is particularly critical in the Central Cibao,” said Figueroa.
Regarding the Rincón, Hatillo and Tavera-Bao dams, he indicated that they have reduced their normal water flow by an average of 85%, which, he said, affects the supply for human consumption and agricultural production due to the low water levels.
“We are currently suffering the worst drought since 1997. During the last four months, rainfall nationwide has been below normal values; but it affects more severely now in March,” he said.
The spokesman for the Presidency explained that forecasts indicate that the warming of the Pacific waters produced by the phenomenon known as “El Niño” will continue into the summer months.
“Which means that we would have little or no rainfall, reduction of the formation of tropical waves and cyclones, which are the events that leave large accumulations of rainfall in the national territory,” said the official.
The spokesperson for the Presidency and director of Strategy and Government Communication said that the seasonal drought period of each year, covers the months of November to April, “and in normal conditions ends with the rains of May; but we are not experiencing normal conditions.”
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Presidency
Presidency
N Digital
29 March 2023