Santo Domingo.- Ethe powerful hurricane Melissa continues its movement as a system category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scalewith maximum sustained winds of 280 km/h and higher gustsreported this Tuesday the Dominican Institute of Meteorology (Indomet).
The phenomenon is currently about 180 kilometers west/southwest of Kingston, Jamaica, and 465 kilometers southwest of Guantánamo, Cubamoving slowly towards the north/northeast at a speed of 7 km/h.
During the morning hours, Rains, thunderstorms and gusts of wind will persist about provinces of southwestas Pedernales, Barahona, Azua, Baoruco, Independencia and San Juanin addition to sectors of the Central Cordillera and the southeastincluding San José de Ocoa, Peravia, San Cristóbal and Greater Santo Domingo.
Read also: Indomet: Melissa rains could leave up to 170 mm in 48 hours in several provinces
Indomet announced that In the afternoon and evening the rainy activity will extend toward San Pedro de Macorís, Monte Plata, Hato Mayor, Monseñor Nouel and Sánchez Ramírezmainly affecting the provinces under weather alert. The authorities reiterate the call to the population to maintain preventive measures against possible urban flooding, river flooding and landslides in high risk areas.
For tomorrow wednesdaythey are expected Scattered showers, thunderstorms and gusts of wind from early hours of the day, especially in the Caribbean coastwith an impact on San Pedro de Macorís, Greater Santo Domingo and San Cristóbal. In the afternoon, the rains will extend to the Cibao Valley and the north coastaccompanied by thunderstorms that could last into the night.
As for the maritime conditionsIndomet recommends fragile, small and medium vessels remain in port from Cape Beata (Pedernales) to Punta Salinas (Baní) due to strong winds and dangerous waves in the southwest Caribbean coast. While, in the Atlantic coastfrom Montecristi to Puerto Platait is suggested sail near the coastal perimetersince in the other sectors conditions remain normal.
The meteorological authorities maintain the alert and warning levels for the distribution of rainfall and the risk of rural and urban floodingand urge citizens to follow official bulletins and avoid exposing yourself in vulnerable areas while the country continues under the effects of Hurricane Melissa.
