Dominicaanse Republiek: Tientallen doden bij 'grootste regenval ooit'

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'Grootste regenval ooit' in Dominicaanse Republiek, 21 doden

Hevige regenval en overstromingen hebben in de Dominicaanse Republiek zeker 21 mensen het leven gekost, melden de autoriteiten in het land. Ook moesten ruim 13.000 mensen hun huizen verlaten, nadat de stortregens die woningen onder water hadden gezet, voor stroomuitval zorgden en bruggen en wegen beschadigden.

De extreme regen, veroorzaakt door een tropische depressie, zal volgens een weeralarm van de Amerikaanse ambassade in de Dominicaanse Republiek naar verwachting de komende 24 uur nog aanhouden in delen van het land.

'Diep geschokt'
President Luis Abinader noemt het noodweer de 'grootste regenval ooit' in de geschiedenis van zijn land. Op X liet Abinader weten 'diep geschokt' te zijn door het grote verlies aan mensenlevens als gevolg van de heftige regenval.

Van de 21 dodelijke slachtoffers vielen er 9 nadat op zaterdag het fundament onder een muur in hoofdstad Santo Domingo bezweek door het vele regenwater. De betonnen muur viel vervolgens bovenop meerdere auto's.

Onder de 21 doden zijn vier Amerikanen en drie mensen afkomstig uit buurland Haïti.

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Catastrophic flooding in Dominican Republic after ‘largest rainfall event ever’

The Dominican Republic has been severely impacted by a tropical disturbance that brought record-breaking rainfall and catastrophic flooding across various regions.

The capital Santo Domingo and several provinces including San José de Ocoa, Duarte, El Seibo, La Altagracia, San Cristobal, and San Pedro De Macoris are among the hardest hit.
Infrastructure damage includes over 2 600 houses, 5 bridges, and 6 roads, with 45 communities isolated.
President Luis Abinader has described this event as the “largest rainfall event ever” in the nation’s history, with record-breaking figures reported by the Oficina Nacional de Meteorologia (ONAMET).
As of November 19, 2023, the Health Ministry has confirmed 21 deaths due to extreme weather conditions since Friday, November 17. Among the tragic incidents, a retaining wall collapse along a highway in Santo Domingo claimed nine lives. The Emergency Operations Center (COE) has reported additional fatalities in the La Zurza and Arroyo Hondo districts, with one person perishing in Higüey Debido, La Altagracia, after being swept away by floodwaters.

The impact of the torrential rains is widespread, affecting the National District and several provinces including San José de Ocoa, Duarte, El Seibo, La Altagracia, San Cristobal, and San Pedro De Macoris. According to the COE, 2 644 houses have been damaged, with 17 completely destroyed. The infrastructure has also taken a significant hit, with five bridges and six roads damaged, leaving 45 communities isolated. Rescue operations have been intensive, with emergency teams successfully evacuating over 13 000 people to safer areas and rescuing 2 541 individuals from perilous situations.

Dominican President Luis Abinader has described this event as the “largest rainfall event ever” in the country’s history. The Oficina Nacional de Meteorologia (ONAMET) reported 431 mm (16.9 inches) of rain in some parts of the National District – a figure that dwarfs the 266 mm (10.4 inches) recorded on November 4, 2022.

Other areas like Villa Altagracia and Barahona’s Polo and Paraiso also saw substantial rainfall, exceeding 200 mm (7.8 inches). In response to the crisis, President Abinader has suspended classes until Wednesday to ensure the safety of students and to assess the damage to educational facilities. He also expressed his condolences and support to those affected via X, formerly Twitter.