Copyright dr1
President Luis Abinader used the Monday, 27 October 2025 press conference to present the extensive coordinated preventive efforts to channel rain waters and mitigate flooding nationwide. The efforts were especially fruitful in Greater Santo Domingo. The last time the country was impacted by a similar storm was in 2007 with the Tropical Storm Noel that resulted in at least 80 deaths. The waters of Melissa were greater, yet this time authorities only reported two deaths, including that of a youth who would have been swept off by a wave on the coast. His body is yet to be found. Despite the two week-long intense rains delivered by the Melissa weather system, flooding did not reach the past levels and the investments, especially in conditioning gullies and streams in Greater Santo Domingo, have led to less evacuations. Rafael Suberví for the Santo Domingo Water Corporation (CAASD) and Wellington Arnaud for the National Aqueduct System (Inapa) explained many of the aqueduct systems were shut down for prevention. National District Mayor Carolina Mejia spoke of advances achieved in the National District that in the past had experienced major flooding that this time did not occur. Public Health Minister Victor Atallah also spoke of efforts underway to prevent diseases by vectors (malaria and dengue) and contaminated water. Damages to the agriculture sector so far have been quantified at RD$1.3 billion. The President spoke of the public works underway and planned to channel the waters of the 27 de Febrero, Luperon and JF Kennedy avenues. The President had praise for the efforts of neighborhood groups, city governments, firemen and Civil Defense corps for efforts to save lives and property. This time the country was divided in the areas that would be most affected and those that would not be, to reduce economic losses. The President also mentioned the technological innovations of flood-detecting cameras and use of drones to distribute food and essentials to flooded areas. The President spoke of the efforts to channel the waters of the reservoirs for electricity purposes and the effective management of the systems. Follow the story:Presidency La Semanal Weather Noticias SIN Climate Centre El Dia Hoy 28 October 2025
