COE places seven Dominican provinces on yellow alert amid heavy rains

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic’s Emergency Operations Center (COE) placed seven provinces under yellow alert and 17 provinces, including the National District, under green alert due to expected heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and strong wind gusts.

According to the Dominican Institute of Meteorology (INDOMET), a trough affecting several levels of the atmosphere, combined with a highly humid air mass, will promote increased cloud development and heavy to locally intense downpours. Thunderstorms, possible hail and strong wind gusts could also occur, potentially causing fallen branches and damage to weakened structures.

The most active conditions are expected initially in the southwest, border region, Caribbean coastal areas and eastern plains before gradually spreading to other parts of the country.

The yellow alert covers Puerto Plata, Pedernales, Independencia, Bahoruco, Barahona, Espaillat and Santiago.

The green alert includes Greater Santo Domingo, the National District, San Cristóbal, Monseñor Nouel, La Vega, San Pedro de Macorís, Dajabón, San José de Ocoa, Valverde, La Romana, Azua, Peravia, La Altagracia, Santiago Rodríguez, Elías Piña, Hermanas Mirabal and Monte Cristi.

The COE urged residents to avoid crossing rivers, streams and ravines with high water levels and advised against using swimming areas in provinces under alert.