SANTO DOMINGO.- The director of the Dominican Institute of Meteorology (INDOMET), Gloria Ceballos, warned this Wednesday afternoon about a significant increase in rainfall in several regions of the country, which could exceed 200 millimeters, according to forecasts.
"The influence of several troughs and the influx of abundant moisture from the Caribbean Sea will cause increased cloudiness and intermittent downpours, starting early this morning, in areas near the Caribbean coast, including Greater Santo Domingo," the executive stated at a press conference.
He explained that in the afternoon the rains will spread to much of the country, intensifying into downpours that could be very heavy at times with thunderstorms and gusts of wind, especially in the southeast, northeast, north and northwest with a high risk of urban and rural flooding, as well as rising rivers, streams and ravines, while at night, the rains will be heavier in areas of the Caribbean coast.
According to Ceballos' statement, forecasts indicate that rainfall could exceed 200 millimeters across the country.
Both the Emergency Operations Center (COE) and INDOMET called on citizens to stay informed and take the necessary precautions in light of the impact of a trough expected to begin this Thursday.
Friday will continue to be rainy
On Friday, the Dominican Republic will continue to be under the influence of the trough and, along with the high humidity levels, moderate to heavy downpours will continue to occur, becoming locally torrential with thunderstorms and gusts of wind, mainly in provinces of the southwest, southeast, the Central Mountain Range and the border area, INDOMET stated.
The provinces on alert
The COE expanded the number of provinces under green alert to 22:
San Cristóbal, Greater Santo Domingo, National District, La Vega, Barahona, San Pedro de Macorís, Pedernales, Azua, Peravia, Dajabón, Santiago Rodríguez, Santiago, Valverde, Puerto Plata, Monte Cristi, La Altagracia, Espaillat, La Romana, Independencia, Bahoruco, San José de Ocoa and Monseñor Nouel,
The agency recommends that people refrain from crossing rivers, streams and ravines with high water levels and avoid using swimming areas in the provinces under alert.
