Santo Domingo.- The Emergency Operations Center (COE) issued flash flooding alerts Monday morning for the provinces Montecristi, Dajabón, Elías Piña in the west, and Independencia, San Juan, Barahona, Pedernales, Bahoruco and Azua in the south.

It said the alert stems from a trough located in the Windward Channel and moving quickly towards the western part of the country which will increase the rains which began Friday, and expected to continue nationwide

The National Meteorology Office forecasts thunderstorms and gusts of winds, which will be more intense in the Southwest and Northwest regions, whereas the COE warns of those who live in low-lying areas mudslides, in areas with problems of drainage, and those next to rivers, streams and creeks to take precautions against flash flooding.