Minister addresses concerns caused by heavy showers

There has been consistent rain and flooding in Barbados for the past 36 hours and the government of Barbados addressed the concerns of the public by highlighting work done to help facilitate the running off of water.

A tropical wave has been affecting the island and, according to the forecast by the Barbados Meteorological Services, the showers are expected to continue. Minister of Transport, Works and Water Resources, Ian Gooding-Edghill stated that he had been advised that the island had experienced up to 75mm of rain as a result of the large volumes of showers over the last few days and people in low-lying areas had been impacted.

“All crews have removed trees from roadways and staff is on standby to assist. We are receiving periodic reports from our ministry teams in the field and as we receive those reports, the teams are actioning whatever flooding and issues that need to be addressed,” stated the minister.

One of those areas where the pump team was deployed yesterday was the low-lying area of the Constitution River Terminal to pump water off.

In preparation for the hurricane season, Gooding-Edghill explained that the ministry had cleared the gullies and water course in St Clements, the water course in Pie Corner, along with the reconstruction of the Pie Corner bridge and the water course in Trents, St Lucy and the Whim, St Peter and surrounding areas including the Salt Pond and so far there had been no reports of flooding in those areas.

“We also cleared major culverts and drains along Highway 1 going out to the sea. In the Spring Garden area, we have cleared the major culverts at Brighton and also at Lands End. If you go further south, the drain at Lobster Life on Lower Bay Street was also cleared and also the culvert and drain at Hilton, Accra and the sluice gate at Graham Hall swamp had been opened for a period of time,” highlighted Gooding-Edghill.

According to the minister, culverts in Oistins and other coastal areas have been cleared along with retention ponds and two newly sunken wells in the Wotton area, which has been known to experience significant flooding in the past. In Cottage Vale and Brereton in St Philip, work is ongoing to clear culverts to assist with drainage while a retention pond has been created in Work Hall, St Philip to aid in alleviating flooding in the area.

St Thomas has also seen work completed to bring some relief with the flooding that occurs in the Jackson area. Gooding-Edghill also highlighted several areas which experienced localised flooding yesterday, including Marchfield and the Six Roads roundabout in St Philip.

Understanding the importance of plantations, which are littered across the island, Gooding-Edghill spoke directly to the plantation owners, asking them to protect their soil from being washed onto the public roads.

“Let me take this opportunity to ask plantation owners to assume greater responsibility and to ensure that their soil does not wash onto the roadway, making it hazardous for motorists. I will also ask motorists traveling along the Bannatyne road to exercise caution as a lot of mud has washed onto the road from the adjoining field,” said Gooding-Edghill.

There was also a plea from the minister to landowners to properly dispose of grass from any debushing or lawns, so as not to create a problem in the drains, when that grass is washed off the properties due to the heavy rains.

“I will also ask the public not to dump in gullies as this garbage eventually blocks the water courses and creates problems for water flow,” asked the minister. (AS)