The administrator of the Dominican Hydroelectric Generation Company (EGEHID), Rafael Salazar, assured this morning that There is no warning of overflow or dam collapse that would force the opening of floodgates, and the reservoirs have sufficient capacity to receive the water levels that Storm Melissa could generate.
Salazar explained that two of the 34 dams under the administration of the institution—Sabaneta and López Angostura—are at high levels, while the others are in optimal conditions to receive water and control downstream damage.
“There is no risk at this moment; what we are doing is regulating the water that will be used in electricity generation,” the official said.
He indicated that all organizations in the water sector remain in permanent session to coordinate preventive actions and respond to any eventuality that could affect the national water system.
EGEHID assures there is no risk of overflowing or collapsing of dams due to storm Melissa
The administrator highlighted that one of the main objectives of the dams is to manage flood controls and store water for regulated use. He added that, before the effects of the storm, the dams were stable and prepared to capture water from the upper basins, thus avoiding structural damage or overflows.
Among the reservoirs with the greatest capacity, he cited Taveras Abajo, with 67 million cubic meters; Monción, 11.57 million; Rincón, 7.15 million; Hatillo, 73 million; Valdesia, 33 million, and Sabana Yegua, 123 million cubic meters.
> “We have the reservoirs capable of handling the water that may fall from the upper basins,” said Salazar.
During an interview given to the Hoy Mismo program, broadcast by Color Visión, channel 9, the official highlighted that the dam system is a key structure for the management of water resources, which guarantees both water supply and electricity generation and environmental preservation.
Salazar stressed that the country’s greatest strength lies in its system of mountain ranges, and urged the care and protection of the basins to avoid damage such as that recorded in vulnerable areas of Tireo, in Constanza.
Finally, he advocated for a comprehensive plan for the protection and sustainable management of the forested areas that nourish the reservoirs, considering them vital for national water and energy security.
