Flash flooding in parts of St Vincent has left millions of dollars in damage, the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) has reported.
NEMO reported that landslides had blocked the Windward highway at several points from Biabou up to Sandy BayThe Mt. Young River, Sandy Bay River and other rivers in Georgetown had overflowed their banks, washed away vehicles, damaged a number of houses and fooded others. Major damage was seen in the area of the Mount Young, where the bridge was impassable because of rushing waters and blockage by huge tree trunks.
Bridges including that at the Georgetown market were blocked and rendered impassable for a period of time, while the bridge in Basin Hole, Langley Park, collapsed under the weightof the water and debris.
Despite reports of loss of property and valuables, there were no known cases of death or major injuries as a direct result of Monday’s disaster.
Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves who returned to the island on Tuesday after delivering a lecture in Barbados at the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies led a team of government officials which included Parliamentary representatives, and officers from Housing and Land Development Corporation (HLDC), as well as the Bridges, Roads and General Services Authority (BRAGSA), the Ministry of Transport, Works and NEMO to have a first have assessment of the damage. (JJ)
