Rainfall of over 200 millimeters forecast in DR; COE places Puerto Plata on yellow alert

Santo Domingo. – The Dominican Institute of Meteorology (Indomet) warned this Wednesday that the heavy rains forecast for the Dominican Republic could leave accumulations exceeding 200 millimeters until Saturday, due to a moisture current and a trough that will affect the national territory.

The director of Indomet, Gloria Ceballos, explained that the American and European meteorological models coincide in projecting significant rainfall starting from the early hours of this Thursday.

“There are models that we use as a guide, the American and the European, and both are indicating that 200 millimeters will be exceeded,” stated Ceballos during a press conference alongside representatives of the relief agencies.

The official specified that the rainfall will occur gradually and that the estimated accumulations correspond to the period up to Saturday.

“The rains will be gradual; we are talking about accumulated rainfall until Saturday,” indicated.

Heavy rains until Saturday

According to meteorological authorities, the highest accumulations could be recorded in the southwestern region of the country, while in Greater Santo Domingo, rainfall could exceed 100 millimeters.

Ceballos warned that some provinces have already received significant rainfall, a situation that must be taken into account given the new forecasted precipitation.

“Furthermore, there are already provinces where it has rained, therefore, we already have significant rainfall accumulations,” he pointed out.

The authorities urged the population to remain attentive to weather bulletins and to adopt preventive measures, especially in communities vulnerable to flooding.

COE activates contingency

In view of the forecast for heavy rains, the Emergency Operations Center (COE) activated its contingency plan in coordination with the Ministry of Defense, the Red Cross, and other relief agencies.

The director of the COE, Edwin Olivares, asked citizens to remain attentive to the alerts issued by the authorities, especially in areas where higher rainfall is expected.

“Wherever there is an alert, there must be caution. In other words, you have to stay alert,” he stated.

Olivares explained that during Wednesday morning he held a meeting with different mayors to coordinate preventive actions in the most vulnerable communities.

For his part, the deputy director of the agency, José Luis Germán, reported that the COE has declared itself in permanent session in light of the forecasted weather conditions.

Provinces under alert

As part of the preventive measures, the COE expanded weather alerts to 21 provinces and the National District, according to the list included in the report.

The indicated demarcations are:

• San Cristóbal
• Santo Domingo
• La Vega
• Barahona
• San Pedro de Macorís
• Pedernales
• Azua
• Peravia
• Dajabón
• Santiago Rodríguez
• Santiago
• Valverde
• Puerto Plata
• Montecristi
• La Altagracia
• Espaillat
• La Romana
• Independencia
• Bahoruco
• San José de Ocoa
• Monseñor Nouel
• National District