The 350 megawatt deficiency was reported in yesterday’s power generation report almost pales to insignificance considering today’s 610 megawatt shortfall. Nine additional generators ceased to operate, cutting the Smith Enron plant to just 30% of its capacity, on which the central Cibao region substantially depends for electricity. Superintendent of Electricity, Marcos Cochon, offered no solace. He stated that matters will worsen in the next few days due the low level of water in the hydroelectric generators. "What we most worry about is the summer. It seems like this year will be very dry." The DR’s northwest is undergoing severe drought. Complaints of constant blackouts are reported throughout the country. In the capital, where blackouts affected traffic lights for hours on end in major intersections, sweating traffic cops filled the void.
