Dominican Republic’s water sources under ‘condition red’

Santo Domingo.- “Condition red,” “critical,” “extreme” among other descriptions were voiced Wednesday during a meeting of the heads of the various Dominican governmental agencies that keep tabs on the country’s water resources nationwide.

For dams and canals agency (INDRHI) director Olgo Fernandez the situation spurred by the lack of rain and ensuing drought across the country is "dramatic."

He said action is needed to better rationalize the little water still left in the reservoirs.

The official said Hatillo, Cotui (northeast), and Rincon, La Vega (central) are the only dams still operating normally due to the rains in February.

“The other dams are in red," Fernandez said, for which Indrhi decided to operate them in "tandem," or five days releasing water and 10 days without.

The official called the situation is "difficult" because water management also includes the supply to aqueducts and electricity generation, adding that rationalization is the only way to deal with the "extreme" drought.