‘Only a tropical storm’ can ease Dominican capital’s water crisis

Santo Domingo.- Only a tropical storm’s downpours can ease the water crisis parching Greater Santo Domingo’s numerous sectors and other cities, National Weather Office director Gloria Ceballo warned Friday.

"Rainfall values will remain below normal, unless there’s a tropical cyclone, which reverts the situation in August or September," the official said in a joint statement with Water Utility (CAASD) director Alejandro Montas.

Ceballos said the effects the of El Niño leads to the drought by reducing atmospheric disturbances in the Atlantic, citing similar crises in 1982 and 1997.

CAASD Operations director Luis Salcedo said the deficit continues at more than 75 million gallons per day, despite Thursday night’s light showers over the Haina, Isa and Duey river basins. "The showers originated during yesterday’s early hours began to reach the intake at Haina, which is operating with nine work crews since this morning."

The CAASD official urges the population to continue saving water.