Hurricane Melissa Leaves Four Dead in Haiti and the Dominican Republic

Hurricane Melissa, a formidable Category 4 storm, has wreaked havoc across Haiti and the Dominican Republic, resulting in significant loss of life and extensive destruction. The hurricane triggered deadly floods and landslides, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. In Haiti, at least three individuals lost their lives due to landslides and falling trees, while in the Dominican Republic, one fatality has been confirmed, and another person remains missing. Additionally, five people sustained injuries when a wall collapsed under the force of relentless rains and powerful winds. The Dominican Republic has placed four provinces under red alert, with 13 in yellow and 13 in green, as torrential rains continue to inundate the northern and southwestern regions. President Luis Abinader conducted an inspection of several dams on Sunday, expressing concerns over potential overflow due to the heavy rainfall. The Centre for Emergency Operations (COE) in the Dominican Republic reported that over 2,900 people are without electricity following the failure of 18 power circuits. Furthermore, more than 625,000 residents are without access to clean water after 60 aqueducts were shut down. In response, the COE has deployed drones to deliver food and essential supplies to remote communities isolated by flooding and landslides. Haiti has also reported collapsed bridges and destroyed homes as river levels surged dramatically.