Heavy rains in the last 48 hours caused flooding, damaged infrastructure and caused houses to collapse.
The president of the Dominican Republic has insisted that climate change must be taken seriously after heavy rains killed at least 21 people and displaced thousands more.
More than 13,000 people had to move to safer areas after torrential rains flooded homes, caused power outages and damaged bridges and roads in the past 48 hours, the Caribbean country’s Emergency Operations Center (COE) said on Sunday. At least 21 people lost their lives, the COE added.
Victims of the storm include nine people who died Saturday after rains caused the wall of a highway tunnel in the capital Santa Domingo to collapse on their cars, according to national police.
The water had “penetrated a saturated subsoil” and the foundation of the concrete wall had given way, the Ministry of Public Works announced the following day.
An investigation into the incident has been ordered while most of the country’s 32 provinces remain on alert.
Videos on social media showed rushing water dragging cars through streets and flooding buildings.
“Largest rainfall event of all time”
President Luis Abinader said it was the “largest rainfall event ever” in the history of the Dominican Republic.
“Those who don’t believe in climate change start believing,” said Abinader, who spoke of “extensive and significant” damage.
Classes are suspended until Wednesday, Abinader said, “to assess the schools that may have been affected” and “to ensure the safety of our young people.”
Rainfall from a tropical depression is expected to continue in parts of the country over the next 24 hours, the US Embassy said in a weather alert.
More than 2,500 people had to be rescued by protective forces and around 2,600 houses were affected by the storm, the COE said.
According to the COE report, 45 communities were without communication as of Sunday afternoon.
In late August, Tropical Storm Franklin swept through the Dominican Republic, killing two people, leaving one missing, and forcing the evacuation of around 3,000 people from areas with dangerous conditions.