Torrential rains kill at least 21 in Dominican Republic: Analysis

President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic has emphasized the seriousness of climate change following heavy rains that have led to the death of at least 21 people and the displacement of thousands more. According to the country’s Emergency Operations Center (COE), over 13,000 individuals have been forced to relocate to safer areas due to the flooding caused by torrential rains over the past 48 hours. The floods have also resulted in power outages, damaged bridges and roads, and destruction of homes.

Among the fatalities, nine individuals tragically lost their lives when the wall of a highway tunnel collapsed onto their cars in the capital city, Santa Domingo, due to the persistent rains. The Ministry of Public Works has reported that the collapse occurred because the water infiltrated the saturated subsoil, leading to the foundation of the concrete wall giving way. An investigation into the incident is currently underway.

Videos circulating on social media exhibit the destructive force of rushing water, as cars are dragged along flooded streets and buildings succumb to the deluge. President Abinader, acknowledging the severity of the situation, described it as the “largest rainfall event ever” in the country’s history and urged skeptics of climate change to reconsider their stance. The president also expressed concern over the extensive damages caused by the floods.

To assess the impact on schools and ensure the safety of young people, President Abinader announced the suspension of classes until Wednesday. The United States embassy, in a weather alert, stated that the tropical depression responsible for the heavy rains is expected to persist across parts of the country for the next 24 hours.

The COE reported that protection agencies had rescued over 2,500 individuals, while approximately 2,600 homes had been affected by the storm. Additionally, 45 communities were left without communication as of Sunday afternoon.

In late August, Tropical Storm Franklin resulted in the loss of two lives, one person going missing, and the evacuation of around 3,000 individuals residing in hazardous areas within the Dominican Republic.

Analysis:
Sources:
The news article does not provide any specific sources for the information presented. The information included in this article is primarily sourced from official statements by government authorities and relevant organizations such as the Dominican Republic’s Emergency Operations Center (COE) and the Ministry of Public Works. Without explicit citations, it is challenging to verify the accuracy of the claims made in the article, though it generally aligns with official reports.

Presentation of Facts:
The article primarily focuses on providing factual information about the impact of heavy rains and floods in the Dominican Republic. It includes details of the number of casualties, displaced individuals, damages to infrastructure, and the government’s response. The article relies on direct quotes from President Abinader and provides statistics from the COE. However, the information lacks specific sources and may benefit from additional contextual information, such as the historical frequency of heavy rainfall events in the region.

Potential Biases:
The article does not display overt biases, as it primarily reports on the incident and quotes official sources. However, the inclusion of President Abinader’s statement urging climate change skeptics to reconsider their beliefs may indicate implicit support for the concept of climate change. The article does not present any dissenting voices or contrary perspectives, which could contribute to a one-sided presentation of the issue.

Overall Impact and Reliability:
Given the lack of explicit citations, the reliability of the article is uncertain. While the information presented aligns with official reports and statements, it would be beneficial to have more transparent sourcing. The article has a moderate impact due to its focus on a specific incident and its limited reach. However, the overall impact may be influenced by the reader’s prior knowledge of climate change and their perspective on the reliability of news sources.

Political Landscape and Prevalence of Fake News:
In the current political landscape, the prevalence of fake news and the public’s perception of information is influenced by political polarization and skepticism towards established institutions. The inclusion of President Abinader’s statement urging climate change skeptics may polarize readers who hold opposing views. The lack of clear sourcing could contribute to skepticism or doubt regarding the information, highlighting the importance of transparent and credible reporting to address misinformation.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/20/at-least-21-dead-in-torrential-dominican-republic-rains