“If the water from the Péligre dam is not properly released, it could overflow and cause flooding—even in the Dominican Republic—which could lead to another source of conflict between the two neighboring countries,” stated agronomist Jean André Victor, former director of the Artibonite Valley Development Organization (ODVA), on Magik 9, this Wednesday, May 21, 2025.

According to Victor, those behind the shutdown appear to have recognized the risk of flooding across the border and decided to urgently release the stored water. However, such an action will affect major infrastructure and irrigation systems on one hand, and may cause downstream flooding on the other, Victor pointed out.