COE keeps 26 provinces on alert for trough over Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo – The Emergency Operations Center (COE), maintains 26 provinces on alert, due to the incidence of a trough and that would be generating downpours in much of the country.
Through an informative note, the relief agency alerted people in vulnerable areas, for possible flooding of rivers, streams, and creeks.

The following is the COE’s information note;
(18) provinces remain under the Yellow Alert and (8) provinces under the Green Alert for possible urban and rural flash floods, flooding of rivers, streams, and creeks, as well as landslides.

People should refrain from crossing rivers, streams, and creeks that present high volumes of water and do not use bathing resorts, due to the turbidity and the volume of water that they maintain.

WEATHER SITUATION
The Directorate of the Emergency Operations Center (COE), reports that according to today’s weather bulletin from the National Meteorological Office “ONAMET, which states that the trough has continued to cause a humid and unstable environment over much of the country, generating the occurrence of rains of different intensities and frequencies, as well as isolated thunderstorms and wind gusts, for this afternoon and evening hours, we anticipate an increase in cloudiness more significant accompanied by moderate to heavy downpours, thunderstorms and wind gusts in much of the country.

In virtue of the above and the provisions of Article 2, Chapter 1 of Law 147-02, on Risk Management, this Emergency Operations Center (COE), maintains the ALERT LEVELS, for possible flooding of rivers, streams, and creeks, as well as flash or urban flooding, for the following provinces and the National District, so that from now on the following will apply:

PROVINCES AND THE NATIONAL DISTRICT UNDER YELLOW ALERT
María Trinidad Sánchez, Duarte, La Vega, Sánchez Ramírez, Monseñor Nouel, Monte Plata, Puerto Plata, Prov. Santo Domingo, Santiago, Samaná, Hato Mayor, El Seibo, Distrito Nacional, La Altagracia, Espaillat, Monte Cristi, Hermanas Mirabal and Valverde.

IN GREEN
Dajabón, San Pedro de Macorís, La Romana, San José de Ocoa, Elías Piña, Santiago Rodríguez, San Cristóbal and San Juan.

Preliminary Situation Report

Heavy rains are expected for this weekend and the COE calls to remain alert. External source photo

NATIONAL DISTRICT
The National Institute of Drinking Water and Sewerage (INAPA) reports that (35) aqueducts are affected, of which (34) are out of service totally and one (1) partially, due to heavy rains which generated high turbidity, affecting some (436,633) users.

THE ALTAGRACY
The La Ceiba Community Network reports that as a result of the rains and the overflowing of a gully, some 13 houses and the Cañada la Honda Educational Center were affected by flooding in the community of Cañada Honda, La Ceiba.

The Meliá Hotel reports that, as a result of the rains, temporary flooding was registered in various areas of the complex, as well as the collapse of a wall, in the access area to Jellyfish Beach.

MONTE PLATA
The Civil Defense reports that in Peralvillo, due to the heavy rains, the communities of Peralvillo and the Guásuma area were cut off from the communities of Peralvillo and the area of Guásuma, at the cuaba. Everything is back to normal.

DUARTE
The Civil Defense reports that in Las Guáranas, due to the flooding of the Catamei River, the community of Villa Arriba and Juana Rodríguez were cut off, and everything is back to normal. Due to the increased flow of the Guamacahe River, the communities of La Jaguara and Angelina were cut off. In addition, the communities of Los Peinados and Los Contreras were cut off due to the overflowing of Caño Azul. Everything returned to normal.

LA VEGA
The Civil Defense reported that in El Pinito the Caño de Pepillo gully overflowed, causing flooding in 63 houses. Everything returned to normal.

ACTION TAKEN:
The Administrative Minister of the Presidency maintains permanent communication with the Directorate of the Emergency Operations Center to keep the high command informed regarding the development of this event, supporting the necessary resources through the Social Plan of the Presidency and the Economic Canteens.

The Ministry of Defense is in permanent communication with the Emergency Operations Center.

The Ministry of Public Health proceeded with the activation of its Multi-Hazard Plan and activated the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Group (GASH). It also prepared the Damage Assessment and Health Needs Analysis Teams. I also activate its Entomological Surveillance Team.

The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, through its Emergency Committee, activated its contingency plan. In addition, it ordered the closure of protected areas in the provinces under yellow alert to visitors and tourists, evacuation protocol, and surveillance to prohibit recreation and reduce risks, from May 1 and during the passage of this phenomenon. It also carries out control and follow-up to all provincial and municipal departments of the Ministry under alert, so that they are attentive to the calls of the Prevention, Mitigation, and Response Committee.

The Municipality of Veron Punta Cana is keeping the Veron Punta Cana Risk Management and Emergency Administration Protocol, the District COE and the Emergency Committee of the Mayor’s Office activated, to guarantee response operations following the established alert levels.

The provincial governments met with all the institutions, where they coordinated the prevention actions for the management of the adverse event in their demarcations.

The Veron Punta Cana Fire Department is carrying out supervision and support work in the areas affected by the urban flooding in the areas of Bavaro and Veron Punta Cana.

The Dominican Red Cross, Punta Cana Bávaro Branch, keeps its plans, programs, and equipment activated.

The Civil Defense maintains activated its various response teams, damage assessment, and shelters.

The National Police maintains surveillance in urban and rural areas while assisting in the various operations registered as a result of the rains.

POLITUR maintains coordination and communication with the different hotel complexes to maintain the various emergency plans activated.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE POPULATION:
RECOMMENDATIONS:
In virtue of the operation being carried out at the Taveras dam, the population located on the banks of the Yaqué de Norte river, from the dam in Santiago to its mouth in Montecristi, should take the necessary preventive measures to avoid being swept away by the flooding of the river.

Keep in contact with the Civil Defense, Armed Forces, Red Cross, National Police, Fire Brigades, and this Emergency Operations Center through Tel: 809-472-0909,

9.1.1, *462 of the OPTIC.

Follow the guidelines and orientations of civil protection agencies.

In the event of downpours, residents in high-risk areas living near rivers, streams, and creeks should be alert and take the necessary precautionary measures against possible flooding and flash floods.

People should refrain from crossing rivers, streams, and creeks that present high volumes of water and do not make use of bathing resorts in the provinces under floodwaters.