Given the torrential downpours expected over the weekend, the Government asked citizens to stay away from spas and also called on them not to prevent evacuations in vulnerable areas.
The call was made by the general director of the Emergency Operations Center (COE), Juan Manuel Méndez, who indicated that, due to the weather conditions, the population should stay away from the spas and also called for them not to prevent evacuations in vulnerable areas.
The call came after a meeting led by President Luis Abinader in the Green Room of the National Palace, where it was reported that the Dominican Government declared itself in permanent session in the face of possible torrential downpours that will be caused by the arrival of a frontal system during the weekend.
Abinader stated that the Government will remain vigilant regarding the evolution of the phenomenon and the impact it will have on the national territory.
“The Government will be attentive to each situation throughout the country, both to foresee and also to react in any case,” said the president.
Méndez pointed out that the provinces of Monseñor Nouel, Santiago Rodríguez, Santiago, La Vega and Monte Cristi remain under yellow alert.
While in green, the National District, Santo Domingo province, Elías Piña, San José de Ocoa, Monte Plata, Puerto Plata, Dajabón, Duarte, especially Bajo Yuna, San Cristóbal, Valverde, San Juan, Independencia and Bahoruco.
“According to projections, this frontal system will cause rainfall in a large part of the national territory, especially in the provinces under alert. The rest of the country must comply with the guidelines of the civil protection organizations, especially strictly following the meteorological reports; there can be no oversights,” said Méndez, who called for refraining from crossing rivers, streams and ravines during the rains.
The COE director indicated that the alert levels may increase depending on the evolution of the phenomenon, which will cause several floods due to the saturation of the soil in much of the country.
The Dominican Institute of Meteorology (Indomet) reported, in its latest report, that the rains will begin in the early morning and will last throughout Saturday.
The meteorological authorities indicated that accumulated rainfall between 100 and 125 millimeters is expected in the next 24 to 48 hours, due to the passage of a trough combined with a frontal system that will affect the weather conditions in the country.
Indomet predicts that these rains will intensify in the afternoon as moderate to heavy downpours with possible isolated hailstorms, thunderstorms and gusts of wind over Greater Santo Domingo, Monte Plata, Sánchez Ramírez, Duarte, Monseñor Nouel, La Vega, Espaillat, Hermanas Mirabal, among other provinces of Cibao, but especially towards the Central Mountain Range, the border area and the southwest.
Levels
The Indomet National Forecast Center maintains the meteorological warning and alert levels for the risk of urban flooding, as well as flooding of rivers, streams, ravines, gusts of wind, frequent electrical storms, possible landslides and possible hailstorms, highlighting that these alerts could be modified during the next 24 to 72 hours due to the expected rainfall.
As for temperatures, these will be hot, especially in the afternoon, due to the east/southeast wind flow, which is humid and warm. The thermal sensation will be higher, especially in urban areas. Therefore, Indomet recommends wearing light clothing, drinking enough fluids and not exposing yourself to the sun for prolonged periods of time.
