标签： Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic has officially transitioned into the 2025–2026 frontal season, a five-month period characterized by cooler temperatures and more temperate weather across the nation. Meteorologist Jean Suriel highlighted that this season, spanning from November to mid-April, will witness between 20 and 30 cold fronts approaching the northern Caribbean, with 8 to 15 directly impacting the country. The coldest phase is expected from January 15 to March 15, particularly in high-altitude regions such as Valle Nuevo, Pico Duarte, Valle de Bao, and the Sierra de Bahoruco, where temperatures may plummet below zero. These areas could also experience frost, hoarfrost, and even ice floes—rare yet typical occurrences during the Dominican tropical winter. Already, two cold fronts have passed near the northern Caribbean, with another anticipated this week. Additionally, a polar air mass is forecast to reach the island around November 16, further intensifying the chill. Popular destinations to embrace the mountain cold include Constanza, Jarabacoa, Ocoa, San José de las Matas, Polo in Barahona, and Loma de Cabrera. Suriel emphasized that the cooling effect will be most pronounced in the Cibao and mountain regions, though daytime warmth will persist until late November. “Nighttime and early morning hours, particularly between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m., will feel significantly cooler,” he noted, adding that this shift offers a refreshing respite after months of relentless heat.

Barahona, a city in the Dominican Republic, faced devastating floods on Sunday as relentless rainfall transformed streets into raging rivers, overwhelmed ravines, and triggered landslides in the El Derrumbao region. The deluge caused significant damage to several resorts, burying them under mud, water, and debris. The National Meteorology Institute attributed the extreme weather to an upper-level trough interacting with a tropical wave, which unleashed torrential downpours starting early Sunday. In Villa Central, where a new maternal and child hospital is being constructed, the rainwater surged more intensely than typical river flows during storm season. The most severely impacted areas included Villa Central, El Derrumbao, Villa Mirian beach, the boardwalk, the city market, and the neighborhoods of La Playa and Villa Estela. Local authorities and the Fire Department collaborated to mitigate flooding on critical streets. At the Lisandra Aponte School, a wall collapsed, forcing emergency teams to evacuate multiple families from high-risk zones. The soil in Barahona was already saturated from recent rains caused by Hurricane Melissa, which had previously drenched parts of the Dominican Republic before advancing toward Jamaica as a Category 5 storm.

The Dominican Republic’s General Directorate of Migration (DGM) has initiated nighttime operations to bolster immigration controls and reinforce citizen security nationwide. This strategic move aims to address the issue of irregularly residing foreigners, particularly in high-traffic zones of the National District and Santo Domingo. The initiative involves deploying uniformed agents in visible patrols, organized into seven-member teams supervised by a coordinating officer to ensure protocol compliance and respect for human rights. Operations will occur daily, with heightened activity on weekends, extending into the early morning hours. Individuals lacking proper documentation will be transferred to immigration processing centers. Additionally, fixed observation points have been set up at traffic lights, motorcycle taxi stands, and other public areas where irregular activities or begging have been reported. The DGM highlighted that many interventions stem from the 311 ‘User Assistance’ line, enabling citizens to report concerns or request assistance.

The Dominican Republic is embarking on a transformative journey to modernize its national identity card system, addressing critical issues of security, functionality, and accessibility. Since the expiration of the current ID model in early 2024, the Central Electoral Board (JCE) has been working diligently to introduce a more advanced and secure identification system. The new ID cards will incorporate cutting-edge technologies, including embedded chips, electronic signatures, and biometric fingerprint verification, to enhance security and reduce fraud. Additionally, the cards will feature updated designs, national symbols, and durable materials like polycarbonate, aligning with international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The renewal process, initially set to begin in August 2024, was postponed due to the 2024 general elections and is now scheduled to commence in 2026. The JCE has also extended the validity of existing IDs to ensure continuity during the transition. Beyond security enhancements, the new system aims to integrate multiple permits, such as driver’s licenses and firearm permits, into a single digital platform, reducing the need for frequent renewals. The initiative also includes plans to add organ donor status to the cards, reflecting the country’s commitment to public health. While the project has garnered widespread support, concerns have been raised about logistics, data privacy, and budget management. The JCE has assured citizens of robust security measures and transparency, emphasizing the importance of public education to ensure effective adoption. The mass rollout, projected to benefit over 9.4 million citizens, will be phased based on birth months, with full implementation expected by 2026.

The Dominican Republic faced relentless rainfall and turbulent weather conditions this Sunday, as an active tropical wave and a trough in the upper troposphere swept across the nation. The Dominican Institute of Meteorology (Indomet) reported that regions including Santo Domingo, San Pedro de Macorís, La Romana, La Altagracia, and several others were particularly affected. Thunderstorms and strong winds compounded the challenges, with the agency predicting a gradual decrease in rainfall by the afternoon. The Emergency Operations Center (COE) had previously issued warnings on Saturday, highlighting the risks of saturated soils and urban flooding following Tropical Storm Melissa, which caused significant damage. Currently, eight provinces and the National District remain under yellow alert, while 14 others are on green alert, reflecting the ongoing impact of the weather systems. The yellow alert covers areas such as Santo Domingo, San Cristóbal, and La Altagracia, while green alert regions include Monseñor Nouel, Puerto Plata, and Santiago. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, urging residents to remain vigilant.

In a heartening turn of events, a newborn baby discovered in distressing circumstances in Dajabón, Dominican Republic, is now in stable condition. The infant, estimated to be around 25 days old, was found wet and covered in ants near a cherry tree. Prompt action by local authorities led to the baby being swiftly transported to the Ramón Matías Mella Hospital for immediate medical attention. According to officials from the National Council for Children and Adolescents (CONANI), the baby is being cared for in a warm environment, utilizing heated cribs to maintain a stable body temperature. This protocol is standard for such cases to ensure the infant’s well-being. The discovery was made on Saturday morning near a food business in the main municipality of Dajabón. Border authorities reported that patrol officers were alerted by a concerned citizen who had approached the local police station to report the situation. The National Police acted swiftly, ensuring the baby received the necessary care and attention.