Santo Domingo.- The National Police Monday announced that three men drowned in rivers of the southwest provinces Bani, San Cristóbal and San José de Ocoa.

 On its Twitter account, the Police confirmed that flooding from the downpours killed five people nationwide.

"One of those dragged away was looking for crabs together with a friend who survived," the Police said in a later press release.

 Victims

The Police said the bodies of Rafelys Perdomo, 20, Johan Alexander Mora, 19, and a man yet to be identified, have been recovered.

Rescuers and police found Perdomo's body one after he waded into the Nizao river, in the community Najayo; relatives found Mora drowned in the river Bani, while the unidentified man found in Ocoa river, and whose body was taken to the local hospital.

 On Saturday authorities recovered the bodies of Villa Altagracia ex mayor, Pedro Peralta from the Haina river, and Wester Aristides Alcántara from the Yaguaza, after they were swept away by rushing currents Friday.