Torrential Rains Put Dominican Republic on Alert

Torrential Rains Put Dominican Republic on AlertSanto Domingo, Jun 2. -The hurricane season opened in the Dominican Republic with torrential rains that flooded the capital, putting 10 provinces on alert.

The Emergency Operations Center issued a green alert for the central-southern provinces of Monseñor Nouel, La Vega, Duarte, Monte Plata, San Cristobal and San Jose de Ocoa, and a yellow alert was declared for the provinces of Sanchez Ramirez in the central region, and Independencia, Bahoruco and San Juan in the west.

Rains will be heavy and frequent with thunderstorms and wind gusts nationwide due to a low pressure system in Paso de los Vientos channel, meteorologists reported.

Experts quoted in news reports last week said work to prevent the collapse of the Barrick mining company dam in Cotui might not be enough to prevent it from collapsing.

Meanwhile, cleanup work in the Ozama and Nigua rivers, part of an anti-cholera campaign, will be slowed or halted by the heavy rains.

Residents of low-lying areas were urged to take precautions in the event of possible river overflows and mudslides.