Indomet warns that storm Melissa will continue to cause heavy showers and dangerous waves

 The agency keeps 24 provinces under alert and weather warning for risk of urban and rural flooding

Santo Domingo. – The Dominican Republic Meteorology Institute (Indomet) warned that intense downpours will continue, accompanied by electrical storms and wind gusts, mainly over the southeast, southwest, and northwest regions, due to the indirect effects of Tropical Storm Melissa. The agency explained that, this Thursday, while the system continues to move slowly over the waters of the Caribbean Sea, southwest of the country, a large part of the territory dawns under a mostly cloudy sky, and rains of variable intensity occur in San Cristóbal, Peravia, Azua, Pedernales, Barahona, San Pedro de Macorís and Greater Santo Domingo. He indicated that during the course of the day, moderate to heavy showers are expected, which could become torrential at times, extending towards other provinces of the Caribbean coast, as well as the southeast and southwest. The Indomet reported that its Forecast Center maintains 24 provinces under alert and meteorological warning levels, due to the risk of urban and rural flooding, as well as rising rivers, streams and ravines.

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He pointed out that the provinces of Duarte, Santiago, Independencia, Bahoruco, San Juan, Elías Piña and María Trinidad Sánchez are under meteorological alert. Meanwhile, La Vega, San Pedro de Macorís, Santo Domingo and Distrito Nacional, Pedernales, Barahona, La Altagracia, San Cristóbal, El Seibo, La Romana, Peravia, Azua, Monte Plata, Hato Mayor, Monseñor Nouel, Sánchez Ramírez, San José de Ocoa and Samaná remain at the warning level.

Maritime Conditions

The institution reiterated to the operators of fragile, small and medium-sized vessels that they must remain in port, due to the strong waves, abnormal winds and the presence of electrical storms in coastal areas. Likewise, it urged bathers and beach users to consult local authorities before entering the sea, due to the risk of rip currents and dangerous breakers.

Melissa's Evolution and Trajectory

The Indomet reported that, at 8:00 a.m., Tropical Storm Melissa was located about 440 kilometers southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. It continues to move west/northwest, at about 7 km/h, and is expected to maintain this speed for the next 24 hours, with a gradual turn towards the northwest or north, followed by a turn towards the west, during the weekend. He specified that this system has maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h and higher gusts, and a gradual strengthening is forecast over the coming days. The Indomet reiterated its call to the population to remain attentive to the official updates of its bulletins and to follow the guidelines of the civil protection agencies.