Torrential rainfall in the Dominican Republic has forced around 30,000 people to leave their homes in recent days, as flooding and landslides continue to affect large parts of the country.
Authorities said the extreme weather has been caused by slow-moving weather systems that have brought continuous rain across northern regions for more than a month, leaving soil heavily saturated and rivers overflowing.
Casualties Reported as Floods Worsen
Local reports say at least three people have died in separate incidents linked to the flooding, including a young girl who was swept away while attempting to cross a river, a 19-year-old man who died while crossing on horseback, and an infant in the capital after part of a house collapsed.
Thousands Displaced and Infrastructure Damaged
Emergency officials said more than 30,000 residents have been evacuated so far, while over 6,000 homes have been flooded.
Several communities have been cut off due to damaged roads and bridges, making rescue and relief operations more difficult.
The country’s Emergency Operations Center also reported that at least 14 communities remain isolated due to rising water levels.
Government Declares Emergency
President Luis Abinader has declared a national emergency in five provinces and in parts of the capital, prioritizing rescue operations and protection of infrastructure.
Officials have urged people living in high-risk areas to move to safer locations as rainfall is expected to continue.
Weather Warnings Continue
Meteorological authorities say the rainfall is expected to continue, with only brief improvement before conditions worsen again later in the week.
Experts warned that saturated ground conditions mean even moderate rain could trigger further flooding and landslides.
Regional Concerns
Nearby Puerto Rico has also issued warnings for heavy rain and possible urban flooding, as unstable weather conditions continue across the Caribbean region.
Summary
Heavy and persistent rainfall in the Dominican Republic has triggered widespread flooding, forced mass evacuations, and caused several deaths. Authorities warn that the situation may worsen as more rain is expected in the coming days.
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