FWIW, there is better support[1] in 1.6 for definition files for node modules. TypeScript can now read definitions directly out of node_modules. As library authors include those in the package there will be less of a dependency on getting definitions from DefinitelyTyped. This obviously doesn't solve all problems but I think the point is the TS team is aware of some of the issues and is taking steps to address.
I would take the opportunity to address the DefinitelyType repository issues.
Actually if anyone from TypeScript team reads this, they should know people there are struggling with that.
There are multiple flaws in gathering so much development code under one roof and a lot of discussion that goes nowhere [1][2][3]. What would be great if there is some sort of "native" support / recommendation of definition files.
1 : https://github.com/borisyankov/DefinitelyTyped/issues/5040 2 : https://github.com/borisyankov/DefinitelyTyped/issues/2150 3 : https://github.com/borisyankov/DefinitelyTyped/issues/4513