Residents fear the worst from swelled river in Puerto Plata

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. – North coast downpours since early Sunday in have swelled the Camú river, flooding streets and sectors in Montellano, including the site of Gregorio Luperón hospital, whose yards and entrance are under water.

The constant rains make the river a dangerous torrent causing landslides on the main route between Montellano and the sector Buenpan, where residents say the fear their houses will be dragged downstream.

Residents said the heavy showers began dawn Sunday and continued all day, unleashing new landslides in vulnerable zones, which could wash out the road at any time.

The reporter Aronis Polanco said they’ve repeatedly asked the provincial and government authorities to build a levy to contain the Camú, but nothing has been done, and appears that they await a tragedy before proceeding.