South region towns under flooding alert from tests at major dam

Santo Domingo.- The Dams and Reservoirs OperationsCommittee (COPRE) on Tuesday warned more than 20 communities along the Yaquedel Sur lower river basin, to expect flooding when it opens two floodgates ofthe Sabana Yegua dam in Azua province (south), as part of the hurricane season’sinfrastructure inspections protocol.

Canals and dames agency (INDRHI) director Olgo Fernándezsaid the measure forms part of a test of the gates of the reservoir’s B and C tunnels,set from 8am to 12 noon on Friday.

He said 128,000 cubic meters of water will be released throughboth gates, and recommends that residents of the communities near Yaque del Sur’sbanks to avoid swimming or taking animals to the river during the test.

Among the communitiesunder flood warnings in Azua, Barahona, Bahoruco and Indepencencia provinces figureLos Bancos, Villarpando, Arroyo Salado, Magueyal, Periquito, San Simón , HatoNuevo, Bastida, Orégano Grande, Orégano Chiquito, Vuelta Grande, Fondo Negro,Quita Coraza, San Ramón, Arroyo Grande, Los Güiros, Los Conuquitos, Tamayo,Monte Grande and Pescadería.