It has been a wet Christmas for most of the Dominican Republic, but more so for the North Coast. The Presidency reported that the rains that have fallen on the North Coast in the past 50 days have been equivalent to those of an entire year.
Making matters worse, the uninterrupted rains for more than five days caused major flooding as people prepared to celebrate the Christmas holidays in Puerto Plata. The intense rains also caused landslides on the “La Turistica” mountain road, requiring major caution when using the way to Santiago.
The intense rains impacted the stays of tourists who had come to bask in the sun.
President Luis Abinader traveled to Puerto Plata to see the damages caused by the week-long of intense rains, including major flooding impacting communities in the municipality of Cabarete, Sosua and Sabaneta de Yasica, that ruined Christmas Eve plans for thousands.
In addition to his Minister of the Presidency, Jose Ignacio Paliza (a former senator for Puerto Plata), Abinader was accompanied by the director of Social Programs, Yadira Henriquez, and Puerto Plata senator Ginette Bournigal and Puerto Plata governor Claritza Rochette, city mayors and civil defense officials.
President Luis Abinader and Minister of the Presidency Jose Ignacio Paliza were in Puerto Plata right before Christmas Eve to inspect some of the damages. There were landslides and road obstructions, many caused by the flooding of the Camu River.
During the meeting, strategies were outlined to assist affected families and clear infrastructure blocked by landslides. In addition to providing both raw and cooked food rations, the President has allocated funds to be distributed to municipal and district governments to address the most urgent needs.
The government mobilized equipment to clear roads, ensure traffic flow, and restore normalcy in affected communities. Starting 26 December 2024, all government institutions will be deployed in the province to complete these tasks,’ he assured.
Likewise, areas in Samana have reported flooding due to the intense rains. Vice President Raquel Peña was in Samana to personally see the damages and coordinate reparations.
The weather forecast is for the rains to continue mainly impacting the north coast of the country, the result of a passing trough. Chilly early morning temperatures of around 20C are expected. Some relief, though, may be in time for the New Year celebrations.
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26 December 2024