AS THE HEAVY rains became more sustained and the images of the forming pools around the island appeared on my television, my concerns and memory battled for prominence.
I felt somewhat anxious as I recalled the pool of water that had settled at the front of my house after the last heavy rainfall. I jumped up but then sat right back down with the knowledge that we had earlier cleared the drain and removed the grass and bush that had previously blocked it.
As one who makes an almost daily journey on Highway 2A, I shuddered at the thought of the mini lake that usually forms in the bottom of the Westmoreland stretch of that road. I recalled that there were drains and outlet spaces.
Why with this in place would there be such a collection? Then it hit me, there was grass and mould all around the drain. They needed to be cleaned, but no one seemed to accept such responsibility. Don’t they have a mosquito problem?
I drifted past that thought and focused on the area outside of St Thomas church. I collected my apple drink but then dreaded passing what was clearly a river. Why was this allowed to happen? How could I pass without splashing the individuals that sat at the adjacent bus stop?
I noted that there was a drain there but was certainly not good enough for the volume of water that flowed through that area. Our planning must be aligned to the obvious challenges to be met. Why, in good times, could there not be an additional two drains opened to ease the inconvenience?
As I continued my journey towards the Bow Road, I remembered having to creep gingerly through the settled fresh water pond just before I reached the vicinity of Lewis Gap. I wondered with incredulity as to why there was always this occurrence when the clouds burst.
In this highly populated neighbourhood we are so carelessly creating a friendly residence for mosquitoes. It is clear that the road building was the problem. It is just absence of the expected run-off grade. Instead, it tends to curve inward and the water settles quite easily.
After completing my business I headed down Holders Hill to Highway One. I became somewhat frustrated when there was a long backup of traffic as far back as Sandy Lane. When I eventually reached Vauxhall, I saw the reason why; an ocean had formed in the road.
As I examined further, there was no well and no drain to be seen. Indeed, this road also curved in and, as the water built up on the eastern bank its resting place became the centre of the road. We must be better than this and pay greater attention to our main highway that connects the north and the south of the island.
I cut my journey short but allowed my memory to take me into Road View and to the Alexandra School. These were places where I had experienced many struggles with flooding. In Road View, there is a bridge, but the sea comes up and joins the rushing water thereby creating the inevitable overwhelming settlement. This is a clear case for a couple of wells to be dropped there.
As Alexandra, oh have I had many struggles! These are easily addressed. I remember Mr Cato doing all that he could on the north-western side to ensure the comfort of the students and staff of the school.
The one challenge here is to keep the pump in good working order and all is well with little or no water settlement. We must all do what we can to protect our nation’s health. Help ourselves, clear the blockage, plan our roads properly and keep our equipment working. Our country’s health is too important for laziness or carelessness to be allowed to foster.
Jeff Broomes is an experienced educator, principal and community organiser who also served as vice president of the BCA and director of the WICB. Email: [email protected].
