Dominican Republic: 38 Towns Isolated After Hurricane Maria

Floodings have left 38 communities isolated in the Dominican Republic after Hurricane Maria passed, leaving thousands stranded and without electricity.

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Several rivers, streams and canals have flooded in the east and northeast provinces of the country. The hurricane affected 40 aqueducts, which has left some 600,000 people without water and about 60,000 without electricity.

A large number of houses that are located next to bodies of water and were constructed with low-quality materials have been devastated by the floods.

Maria has destroyed 110 homes, damaged 570 and flooded another 3,723, according to the Emergency Operations Center. At least 20 of the country's 32 provinces are on red alert over further floods.

In the Dominican Republic, more than 71 percent of the population lacks a house built with adequate materials, according to Oxfam. 

Hurricane Maria has caused the displacement of some 20,000 people, half of which remain in shelters while others are staying with relatives.

The National Meteorological Office lifted the hurricane and storm alert on the north coast but warned resident of possible heavy rain at least until Sunday, which could cause some floods.

The Dominican Republic has dodged the direct impact of two of the most powerful hurricanes in recent years, Irma and Maria, but has still suffered from heavy rains and floods.