Government has been pumping up its efforts to mitigate flooding across the island, Minister of Home Affairs and Information Wilfred Abrahams assured on the eve of the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season.
He said on Wednesday that he had been assured by Minister of Transport, Works and Water Resources and Deputy Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw that workers of the Drainage Division were out in full force addressing issues in flood-prone areas.
“We are aware of the flood-prone areas and we had the discussion yesterday at Cabinet as well about prioritising the flood-prone areas. So, while we have to make sure all the waterways are kept clear, some waterways leading to some areas are going to have to be done a lot more than others.
“So that is definitely on our radar and the aim is to minimise the impact,” Abrahams said during a press conference at the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) headquarters in Warrens, St Michael.
He was speaking ahead of the June 1 start of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season and on the same day that Barbados was under a flash-flood watch due to a tropical wave affecting the island.
After heavy rains just over a week ago, on May 22, there was significant flooding in Church Street, Speightstown, St Peter. The high water levels made it difficult for pedestrians and drivers to get through the area.
Although making it clear that he was not finding an excuse for that flooding situation, Minister Abrahams said if a significant amount of rain falls in a short space of time, “all of the infrastructure in the world is not helping you”.
“And sometimes we get significant flooding in areas over a two-hour period, and when that happens, it will flood; no matter what we do, it will flood. The ground cannot absorb the rain as fast as it needs to prevent flooding.
“We might not be able to control flooding when there is very significant rainfall but we can do the things that we need to do to ensure that flooding dissipates as quickly as possible, and that is the responsibility of the Government,” he said.
Abrahams added, however, that residents have a responsibility to help prevent flooding as well.
He urged Barbadians to dispose of garbage appropriately to avoid blocking drains, stressing that even one plastic bag blocking a drain could lead to major flooding in an area.
“So, at this particular point in time, we need to secure our garbage and be mindful. We are saying, ‘do what you need to do to protect yourself and protect your neighbours’. Your bag may clog a drain and the house that might be lost as a result of it might be yours. We are all in this; this affects us all. We all have our roles to play and I am asking everyone to please play your role,” the Home Affairs Minister said.
(AH)
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