标签： Dominican Republic

A tropical wave, coupled with a trough, is set to bring moderate to heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds across several provinces in the Dominican Republic today. Affected regions include María Trinidad Sánchez, Samaná, Hato Mayor, La Altagracia, La Romana, El Seibo, San Pedro de Macorís, Monte Plata, Sánchez Ramírez, and Santo Domingo. The Dominican Institute of Meteorology (Indomet) has also indicated that the precipitation will extend to San Cristóbal, San José de Ocoa, Santiago, La Vega, Duarte, Monseñor Nouel, Azua, Elías Piña, Dajabón, Independencia, and Bahoruco, primarily during the morning and afternoon hours. In the National District, increased cloudiness and isolated showers are expected. Temperatures are forecasted to remain hot, ranging from a minimum of 21°C to 23°C and a maximum of 31°C to 33°C. Indomet has advised operators of fragile, small, and medium-sized vessels to exercise caution near coastal areas due to abnormal winds and waves, avoiding venturing out to sea. The weather conditions are expected to persist into tomorrow, with downpours and thunderstorms likely in towns along the southern coast. The Emergency Operations Center (COE) has issued alerts for 19 provinces, warning of potential urban and rural flooding, overflowing rivers, streams, and ravines, as well as landslides, particularly in vulnerable areas. San José de Ocoa remains on red alert, Pedravia and Monte Plata are on yellow alert, while Independencia, Pedernales, Bahoruco, Barahona, San Juan, Azua, San Cristóbal, Puerto Plata, Santiago, Monseñor Nouel, Duarte, San Pedro de Macorís, La Romana, La Altagracia, Santo Domingo, and the National District are on green alert.

President Luis Abinader conducted an extensive tour of the provinces of San José de Ocoa and Barahona on Friday to evaluate the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. During his visit, he emphasized the government’s commitment to providing immediate relief and long-term solutions for affected families, agricultural producers, and local economies. Abinader assured that no individual or sector would be overlooked, with efforts focused on both recovery and mitigating future vulnerabilities.

In Barahona, the president convened a working group meeting with local authorities, relief agencies, community leaders, and media representatives. He highlighted the severe impact of prolonged rains on agriculture, rural infrastructure, and commerce in the Enriquillo region. A comprehensive support plan was outlined, involving direct aid to municipalities and producers, with collaboration from the Church and civil society to ensure transparency and efficiency.

Abinader announced specific measures, including non-refundable contributions and loans from the Agricultural Bank for coffee producers in Polo, the hardest-hit area. Housing assistance will be provided through the Presidential Directorate of Social Assistance for minor damages, while the Ministry of Housing and Construction will address more severe cases. The president stressed that homes in vulnerable zones would not be rebuilt to prevent future risks.

Infrastructure repairs are already underway, with the Ministry of Agriculture focusing on agricultural roads and the Ministry of Public Works handling major transit routes. Abinader pledged to extend recovery efforts to all provinces under red alert, ensuring comprehensive support across affected regions.

In San José de Ocoa, the president met with local authorities to assess agricultural and infrastructure damage. He ordered detailed surveys to facilitate targeted aid and soft loans, emphasizing transparency in resource allocation. Weekly meetings will monitor progress, with a focus on both immediate recovery and preventive measures.

Local officials, including Barahona Governor Oneida Catalina Féliz Medina, praised the president’s hands-on approach and commitment to addressing community needs. Mayors of affected municipalities requested additional support for infrastructure projects, including ravine conditioning, bridge reconstruction, and road repairs.

President Abinader was accompanied by key officials, including Minister Without Portfolio Deligne Ascención and Director of Social Assistance Edgar Féliz, underscoring the government’s coordinated response to the crisis.

In a landmark meeting at the National Palace, President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic welcomed a delegation from the Dominican Association of Tourism Press (Adompretur), led by its president, journalist Sarah Hernández. The session, described as highly productive, centered on advancing the Dominican tourism sector, with the President pledging full support for the creation of the Dominican Tourism Museum, a project spearheaded by Adompretur’s executive board. The museum aims to honor the nation’s tourism pioneers and recognize contributions from both public and private sectors that have driven the industry’s growth. Following the meeting, a dedicated Adompretur commission is set to meet with Carlos Andújar, Director General of Museums, to explore potential sites for the museum. Additionally, President Abinader agreed to formally include Adompretur in the Tourism Cabinet, acknowledging the critical role of specialized media in disseminating sector-related policies and achievements. Hernández emphasized the importance of tourism journalists in promoting policies that fuel the country’s economic, cultural, and social development. The President also expressed interest in Adompretur’s involvement in future projects focused on tourism promotion, sustainability, and education. The meeting concluded with Adompretur presenting President Abinader with a plaque recognizing his contributions to the sector. Hernández praised the President’s open-door policy and reaffirmed Adompretur’s commitment to responsible journalism that supports sustainable and inclusive tourism growth.

The city of Santiago experienced a remarkable meteorological event on Thursday, October 30, when an astonishing 61.9 millimeters of rain fell within 24 hours. This figure, which triples the region’s historical average, was confirmed by Juan Salas, the executive director of Civil Defense, who labeled the occurrence as “unprecedented” in recent memory. Salas noted that previous records had never exceeded 22 millimeters, making this event truly extraordinary. The heavy rainfall, attributed to the remnants of Hurricane Melissa and an active trough over the Cibao region, led to temporary flooding in several areas, including Los Jardines, Hoya de Caimitos, and 27 de Febrero Avenue. Despite the severity of the situation, the city managed to return to normalcy within hours, thanks to the swift and coordinated response of emergency agencies and municipal brigades. This incident underscores the urgent need to enhance urban drainage systems and bolster mitigation efforts in regions susceptible to the impacts of climate change and extreme weather phenomena.

The Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC) in Santo Domingo has announced a temporary closure of the Floating Bridge to vehicular traffic on Saturday, November 1, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This brief shutdown is necessary to facilitate the safe departure of the vessel M/V Tuckernuck from the M&D Marine Repairs dry dock. The bridge, a vital link between the National District and Santo Domingo East, will be inaccessible during this two-hour period. Authorities have urged drivers and frequent users of the bridge to plan their journeys accordingly and utilize alternative routes to avoid disruptions. The MOPC emphasized that this action is part of established maritime coordination protocols designed to ensure safe navigation and secure transit across the structure. The ministry reiterated its dedication to maintaining orderly and efficient mobility for all citizens, underscoring its commitment to public safety and operational efficiency.

In a significant humanitarian initiative, the Fujian General Chamber of Commerce of China in the Dominican Republic has mobilized a large-scale relief campaign to aid families devastated by Tropical Storm Melissa. The effort involves the distribution of 23,000 food kits, with an estimated total value of RD$29.9 million, across the nation. The campaign is spearheaded by prominent figures including Zheng Shanfeng, President of the Fujian Chamber; Mars Wang, Vice President; Weng Didi, Secretary General; Yuek Fai Cheung, President of the Chinese Colony Center; and Rosa NG Báez, President of the Flor Para Todos Foundation. Deliveries have already commenced in severely affected southern provinces, such as San José de Ocoa. The relief operation will extend to 13 regions, including Santo Domingo, San Cristóbal, San Pedro de Macorís, Monte Plata, San Juan, Barahona, and Peravia. Organizers emphasized that the campaign embodies the spirit of solidarity and gratitude that binds the Chinese and Dominican communities. ‘In times of hardship, it is our duty to stand together and offer support,’ stated Zheng Shanfeng, highlighting the unwavering commitment of the Chinese community to assist the Dominican Republic during challenging times.