[NYTr] Bad WeatherThreatens the Dominican Republic Again

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

Prensa Latina, Havana
http://www.plenglish.com

Bad WeatherThreatens the Dominican Republic Again

Santo Domingo, Nov 11 (Prensa Latina) Dominican authorities decreed on
Sunday a compulsory evacuation in several provinces, threatened by rain
and storms because of a bad weather (depression), which is approaching
the country's southwest.

The speed in implementing the emergency measure contrasts with
lassitude shown as tropical storm Noel threatened the country, leaving
85 people dead, 48 disappeared and heavy damages.

Pedernales, Barahona, Bahoruco, Independencia, San Juan de la Maguana
and Azua are the provinces included in the decision jointly adopted by
the Armed Forces Ministry and the National Emergency Committee.

The fire department, the Armed Forces, police, Red Cross and Civil
Defense are watching the situation closely, a communiqué said.

Red alert was ratified for another 10 provinces likely to be hit by
this phenomenon.

Residents of low-lying areas and near rivers, streams and gullies
started to be evacuated, according to the note.

The danger of floods adds to landslides due to deforestation, which is
even more likely in neighboring Haiti, where tropical storm Noel also
caused dozens of deaths.

Meanwhile, local media reported infectious disease outbreaks among the
thousands of displaced people, who remain in emergency shelters.

hr rma msl PL-7