Dominican Republic: Floods and Landslides - Nov 2023

Since 17 November, a tropical depression has been bringing heavy rainfall, flooding and landslides to the Dominican Republic. According to the country’s Emergency Operations Centre, the extreme weather has left at least 21 people dead and forced more than 13,000 people to evacuate. At least 15 electricity circuits and 115 aqueducts have been affected, causing disruptions in electricity service for more than 150,000 people and water service for some 1.8 million people. The National Institute of Drinking Water and Sewage and EDESUR are working to restore their respective services in the affected areas.

According to preliminary reports, more than 1,500 homes, 6 roads and 5 bridges have been affected. Some 19 communities remain cut off due to the overflow of rivers. Fourteen provinces (Pedernales, San Juan, Barahona, Azua, San José de Ocoa, Bahoruco, Independencia, Elías Piña, San Cristóbal, Peravia, Sánchez Ramírez, El Distrito Nacional, Santo Domingo and Duarte) across the country remain at a red alert level due to the risk of further flooding and landslides. Heavy rainfall is forecast to continue through until 20 November. (OCHA, 20 Nov 2023)

As of 21 November, severe rains and subsequent flooding have left 24 people dead, displaced nearly 18,000 people, affected 3,500 homes, and cut off some 45 communities. About 1.1 million people are still without access to safe water. [...] The UN is also helping the Ministry of Health with the procurement of 50,000 cholera vaccine doses after authorities detected 16 cases, 12 among Haitian migrants. There are concerns that damages to water management systems may aggravate an ongoing dengue outbreak that has led to 12,000 cases so far in 2023. (OCHA, 27 Nov 2023)

According to [information from 22 November], 7,412 homes were affected, 14 partially affected and 22 were destroyed. At least 37,060 people were displaced to safe areas and 55 communities are isolated. A total of 4 shelters were opened, housing 158 people, and 59 water services were affected, of which 55 are inoperable. (PAHO, 28 Nov 2023)

Almost three weeks after intense rainfall and flooding hit the Dominican Republic on 17 and 18 November, a Damage and Needs Assessment conducted in North Santo Domingo and the province of Duarte indicates that populations in the most affected communities require food, clean water, hygiene and sanitation supplies, medicines, and the repair or reconstruction of homes.

According to estimations from the government’s social protection system (SIUBEN), the flooding affected at least 340,000 people in the provinces of Duarte, Santo Domingo, San José de Ocoa, Barahona, Bahoruco, San Juan de la Maguana, Sánchez Ramírez, Peravia, Azua, Distrito Nacional and San Cristóbal. Some 34 people died, 37,000 were displaced and approximately 7,412 homes were severely damaged. Around 61 per cent of damaged homes were in the province of Duarte, while 13 per cent were in Distrito Nacional and the Santo Domingo province. The agricultural sector also faced significant losses, with extensive damage to crops, greenhouses, and livestock, affecting over 7,000 producers in various provinces. President Luis Abinader estimated the damages to exceed US$460 million (excluding the Ministry of Public Works and Communications' budget).

In the aftermath of the rains, ongoing health crises have continued to escalate. There has been an alarming surge of dengue, with 17,360 suspected cases, including 128 severe cases and 19 deaths this year. Additionally, a confirmed cholera outbreak in Barahona, heavily impacted by the floods, reported 29 cases, contributing to the overall national count of 1,109 suspected cases, 115 confirmed cases, and one death. The widespread impact of the event highlights the vulnerabilities of the country and the need to strengthen capacities to prevent, prepare and respond effectively. (OCHA, 11 Dec 2023)

On 21 December 2023, the Emergency Operation Center of Dominican Republic (COE per its acronym in Spanish) published information about the heavy rains in the country. A total of 4 provinces are in yellow alert due to the flooding (3 decrease since the 20 December report). The heavy rains have affected 36 water distribution services and 400,133 people are without potable water (93,847 increase). (PAHO, 22 Dec 2023)