Landslides, Flooding, and Erosion from Heavy Rain Fall

Landslides, Flooding, and Erosion from Heavy Rain Fall – Heavy rainfall associated with tropical cyclone Eta continues to wreak havoc across the island of Jamaica; several roads have been rendered impassable due to landslides and flooding, while others have been reduced to single lane traffic.

The head of the Meteorological Service of Jamaica says while citizens may get some relief this week, more rain is expected by the weekend. The heavy rains aren’t letting up and the lives of residents remain at stake, amid flooding and landslides.

In just 24 hours roads in several parishes have been inundated by floodwaters. In others, major corridors are now impassable. Among them is the Bog Walk Gorge in St. Catherine and Gordon Town Road in St. Andrew, impacted by a recurring landslide. 

Communications and customer services manager at the National Works Agency (NWA), Stephen Shaw says a team will be assessing the road through the bog walk gorge as soon as the flood waters recede.

However, Gordon Town Road will remain impassable until it is determined that it is safe to undertake the clearance exercise. 

Nonetheless, Shaw says teams from the agency are now attempting to reopen corridors that are deemed safe to execute the needed clearance.

Persons have unleashed their frustration on various social media platforms; willing the sun to come out. Others are praying that their vehicles won’t be washed away. Director of the Met Service of Jamaica, Evan Thompson, says citizens can expect a break from the heavy rains by Tuesday. 

However, more rainfall is expected by the weekend. Aladden Love reports: