SANTO DOMINGO.- President Luis Abinader led a press conference Tuesday night at the National Palace alongside Vice President Raquel Peña and representatives of emergency agencies, in which a red alert was declared for the provinces of Greater Santo Domingo, Peravia, Azua, Barahona, San José de Ocoa and San Juan, due to the passage of Tropical Storm Melissa.
the suspension of classes was announced in all provinces under red alert, from Santo Domingo to Pedernales. It was also reported that the workday in public institutions would end at 1:00 p.m. as a preventative measure due to the increased rainfall.
The president indicated that public and private activities will be suspended on Wednesday and Thursday due to weather conditions expected to intensify in the coming hours. “ The goal is to safeguard lives . The government remains in permanent session,” Abinader stated.
According to data provided by the director of the National Meteorological Office (ONAMET), Gloria Ceballos, 62 millimeters of rain today alone, and it is projected that total rainfall could exceed 400 millimeters in the south and southwest of the country. “We must prepare for the worst, even if the best happens,” she warned.
During the press conference, President Abinader reported that the Ministry of Public Works is working on the storm drains of the bridge located at kilometer 9 of the Duarte highway, describing the problem as "a decades-long issue."
Work is also being carried out on the tunnel that passes through Plaza de la Bandera and will continue on the one on Avenida Núñez de Cáceres, with the aim of preventing urban flooding in the face of Storm Melissa.
The center of the storm is located about 400 kilometers east of Haiti, and according to ONAMET, its movement is slow, which could increase its impact on the country and raise its category to hurricane in the next few hours.
Authorities reiterated their call for the public to stay informed, follow official recommendations, and avoid unnecessary travel in vulnerable areas.
