Provinces on red alert rise to 12, while 15 remain on yellow alert.
SANTO DOMINGO – With soils saturated from heavy rainfall, President Luis Abinader announced last night the suspension of classes nationwide and the suspension of work this Friday in the 12 provinces under red alert . He also ordered the National Treasury and the Comptroller's Office to open to address the government's end-of-month financial obligations
Likewise, the president instructed the Emergency Operations Center (COE) to extend the red alert to the provinces of La Romana, San Pedro de Macorís and Monte Plata , together with the provinces of Barahona, San Cristóbal, Santo Domingo, National District, San José de Ocoa, San Juan, Azua, Peravia, Pedernales.
The President of the Republic, together with the Mitigation, Preparedness and Response Council , ratified the previously announced restrictions, as well as the exceptions issued 48 hours ago.
The Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Public Administration will issue resolutions to regulate labor operations, while the financial sector will be allowed to operate, with the recommendation that banks consider the difficulties of relocating their employees to avoid labor sanctions.
In the educational field, teaching has been suspended nationwide for tomorrow, Friday, October 24 , as agreed with the Ministry of Education.
Essential services
Essential services such as pharmacies, supermarkets, gas stations, and transportation will continue operating to ensure access to perishable food, medicine, and other vital resources. These measures aim to maintain the country's basic functionality while addressing the climate emergency.
Alerts and restrictions
The COE has established a red alert for the provinces of Barahona, San Cristóbal, Santo Domingo, National District, San José de Ocoa, San Juan, Azua, Peravia, Pedernales, La Romana, San Pedro de Macorís and Monte Plata.
a yellow alert remains in effect for Hato Mayor, El Seibo, Samaná, Monseñor Nouel, Sánchez Ramírez, La Altagracia, Elías Piña, Independencia, Dajabón, Puerto Plata, Espaillat, La Vega, María Trinidad Sánchez, Santiago and Duarte.
In Monte Cristi , an additional yellow alert has been issued due to the filling of the Taveras dam , as a preventive measure to monitor low-lying areas, including Los Verdes and Castañuela.
Authorities have stressed that the ordered evacuations in the provinces under red and yellow alert are mandatory, urging the population to cooperate to avoid tragedies.
Soils saturated by continuous rainfall turn any new precipitation into surface runoff, increasing the risk of flooding, especially in areas under alert. Nevertheless, all provinces are urged to remain vigilant and follow weather reports and Civil Protection guidelines.
Recommendations to the public
The COE calls on citizens to follow minute-by-minute weather updates through the media and to comply with the instructions of the authorities.
For emergencies, the 911 and COE lines are available at 809-472-0909. Additionally, the COE director, General Juan Manuel Méndez , has provided his personal number, 809-773-4447, to address concerns directly, requesting its responsible use.
The Dominican government will remain in permanent session , monitoring the storm's progress and taking the necessary measures to protect the population. Heavy rainfall is expected to continue, so the importance of citizen cooperation to minimize risks is reiterated.
