Defensa Civil warns of potential flooding in Santiago amid forecast of heavy rains The provincial office of Defensa Civil has issued a warning to residents of Santiago’s vulnerable communities about the risk of flooding during the upcoming weekend. Director Francisco Arias urged residents to remain vigilant and to monitor updates from the Centro de Operaciones de Emergencias (COE), especially in light of the rainfall recorded on Thursday and the previous two days. Arias noted that, so far, no flooding has been reported in the areas traditionally affected by such events. However, the agency is conducting preventive monitoring in communities such as Cienfuegos, Santiaguito, Francisco del Rosario Sánchez, and Antonio Guzmán. He highlighted that a key challenge in managing the rains is the limited capacity of some storm drains to handle large volumes of water, a problem that can worsen when solid waste accumulates in the drainage system. The director advised citizens not to attempt crossing flooded streams, canals, or streets with strong currents. He also urged people to refrain from discarding garbage on the streets or in drainage channels during rainfall. The Santiago City Hall is carrying out cleaning and mitigation work at critical points, including Villa Olga, El Embrujo, Gurabo, and Ensueño, where waste buildup often blocks drainage. Defensa Civil’s emergency response teams remain on alert and prepared to respond to any eventuality as weather conditions evolve. The warning comes at a time when Santiago faces renewed rainfall possibilities and ongoing drainage challenges in areas that have historically experienced flooding.
Article source: De Ultimo Minuto | Image credit: De Ultimo Minuto