¿Major Santiago Problem?

[Hipocrito Mejia]

Originally Posted by BushBaby

... the dangers SHOULD have been made public earlier if there was a loss of life scenario about to be played out! ~ Grahame.

The danger is common knowledge to everyone who lives in the general area and downstream from the dam. It is there everytime that there is a significant rainfall, and it is not going away anytime soon, but people choose to ignore it. The tropical storm and the potential rainfall were being talked about several days ago in no uncertain terms, so to me, that was fair warning.

[Chip]

As I posted on the other thread, the people in the low lying areas were being advised by yesterday afternoon by fireman and police. This is from one of my best friends and also the brother in law who saw it on the news last night on channels 29 and 53.

I can only assume that the water level rose more than the engineers/officials estimates because some people according to the news were completely unawares.

[SantiagoDR]

Originally Posted by Hipocrito Mejia

The tropical storm and the potential rainfall were being talked about several days ago in no uncertain terms, so to me, that was fair warning.

Absolutely Correct!

¿So why did the authorities not begin releasing the water several days ago?
I believe they would call that a controlled release.

Let´s and admit, it was a tragic error by the authorities.
Business as usual and just another, it´s not my fault excuse!

[BushBaby]

Originally Posted by Hipocrito Mejia

The danger is common knowledge to everyone who lives in the general area and downstream from the dam. It is there everytime that there is a significant rainfall, and it is not going away anytime soon, but people choose to ignore it. The tropical storm and the potential rainfall were being talked about several days ago in no uncertain terms, so to me, that was fair warning.

Again, ....... I accept that point unreservedly. But isn't it 'The Authorities' that own that bit of land in the river? Don't THEY have the power to remove people who 'SQUAT' in that area whenever they settle there & then block further access to it? Aren't you just making excuses for lack of Government in the first instance - i.e. taking pro-active action BEFORE the event rather than blaming anyone within shouting distance AFTER the event?

(please note HM - this is NOT directed to you, just questions I would like to have seen the interviewer asking of the Chief of INDRHI during that interview on TV this morning!) ~ Grahame.

[mido]

Something similar happened in the aftermath of Hurricane George, 1998.

"And, officials may not have adequately warned the people downstream before opening the flood gates of the Sabaneta Dam which contributed to the deaths of numerous individuals in the city of Mesopotamia"

Source: Quick Response Report #115 - A Review of Relief: An Examination of the Response to Hurricane Georges in the Dominican Republic

or also: Effects of Hurricane Georges in the Dominican Republic - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[drtampa]

This is now the lead story on AOL News.

[MommC]

then maybe some of the international funds that flow so freely into this country would be put to the use that was intended.
This incident shows the blatant disregard for life that is so endemic in the DR, especially amongst the more 'priviledged'.

[SantiagoDR]

The railing on this bridge is missing, the river junk is piled on the steps leading up to the bridge, the property on the opposite side of the road was inudated with water and mud.

This is the area just down river of the main bridge crossing from Santiago.
The river is currently still well above it´s normal level.

If the water had been released slowly days earlier, the level would have risen slowly and people that were stubborn would leave as the river continued to rise.



Now the following picture really shows how dramatic the river level had gotten.
Think, BRIDGE under water!




Still no electric in our area, which translates to no water either for us.
Just spendt $1,210 pesos for two containers of diesel. (About 9 gals)

[Hillbilly]

Fantastic pictures, Don. Thanks for that wonderful comparison.

NO doubt, all of the above will be pushed under the rug...
They are talking about acceptable losses...urgent requirements for electricity...bla bla bla...

ARRRRGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


HB

[laurapasinifan]

here is a link from yahoo on the story. t mentions Taveres dam. would that be the same body of water that chip was going fishing at?

Olga kills at least 8 in Caribbean - Yahoo! News

bob