The hurricane season has begun and the Dominican Republic is in the path of a large part of the storms, hurricanes and cyclones that are estimated to occur and affect the Caribbean region.

The National Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a division of the National Weather Service of the United States, has made the forecast that this year between 12 and 17 storms could form, with winds of 63 kilometers per hour or more. Of those events, between 5 and 9 could become hurricanes, with winds of 119 kilometers per hour or more, including between 1 and 4 major hurricanes, category 3, 4 or 5, with winds of 178 kph or more. NOAA says it is 70% confident in these ranges.

The National Meteorology Office (ONAMET) is significantly improving its capabilities and assured that it is prepared for the start of the cyclonic season to offer information to the population, issue bulletins and meteorological alerts in the face of any phenomenon that threatens the territory and the coasts of the Dominican Republic installing new equipment and improving its communication systems.

The hurricane season begins every year on June 1 and ends on November 30. Climate change is a phenomenon that affects these phenomena every year, both in their trajectory and in the directions they take and speeds. Some storms and hurricanes surprise and cause a lot of damage. In other cases, the rains favor the storage of water, the supply of hydroelectric dams and reservoirs, as well as agriculture.

Names of the 2023 season cyclones:

Arlene, Franklin, Katia, Philippe, Whitney, Bret, Gert, Lee, Rina, Cindy, Harold, Margot, Sean, Mr. Idalia, Nigel, Tammt, Emily, Jose, Ophelia, Vince

ONAMET urged the population, especially people residing in vulnerable places that can be flooded by flooding of rivers, streams, ravines and possible penetration of the sea, to complete the preparations of the place together with their families, having alternate light systems on hand. and places that could be evacuated in emergencies.

The Dominican Republic this year has experienced months of drought, but the precariousness of water could suddenly change, and become more of a problem than a solution to the scarcity.

Source: Acento

(To know more about the Punta Cana Climate click here)