Tropical waves and troughs (vaguadas) in the Dominican Republic

Much of the heavy rain in the Dominican Republic arrives with tropical waves and vaguadas (troughs), especially in the rainy season.

What they are

A tropical wave is a zone of instability that moves across the Caribbean and can sometimes develop into a storm or hurricane. A vaguada is an elongated zone of low pressure that brings intense rain over several days. Both cause rivers to rise and flooding.

How to stay safe

• Heed the alerts from ONAMET and the COE.
• Avoid rivers, gullies and low-lying areas during heavy rain.
• Follow the radar to see how long the rain may last.