A RELATIVELY brief shower of rain on Wednesday afternoon turned several major roadways in the Corporate Area into flooded channels that motorists found difficult to navigate. Some vehicles stalled altogether as water covered their bonnets and seeped into the engines.
One of the most glaring examples of the hazard brought on by the rains was reported on Page 2 of yesterday's Gleaner, where piles of garbage and water were deposited on the ground floor offices of the Fisheries Division of the Ministry of Agriculture on Marcus Garvey Drive in Kingston. Among other things, files and computers were damaged.
Wednesday's flooding should serve as a reminder to the municipal authorities in particular of the constant danger posed by clogged drains and uncleared gullies. We note that the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) as well as the Ministry of Local Government had earlier this year outlined plans for a general drain-cleaning programme. Whatever the steps taken, there clearly remains a lot to be done.
It is also a timely reminder for the Public Health authorities, National Solid Waste Management Authority and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management to be vigilant in their specific areas of responsibility to keep public infrastructure in good condition in the interest of the wider public.
It may be argued that it is costly to have to keep water channels clear given the frequency with which people dump rubbish in them. The state agencies have little option to do otherwise, however. Failure to take pre-emptive action will only result in costly damage and, possibly, loss of lives, requiring the spending of more money to repair property and equipment, than it would have cost if earlier maintenance was done.
We are but one month into the official hurricane season and so it's expected that the rains will come again and again and again, with varying degrees of intensity. We cannot let down our guards.
At the same time, the public health authorities can only go so far withthe education programmes. Individuals from the homeowner, shopkeeper or occupier of rented property, will have to be encouraged, under the penalty of sanctions even, to act responsibly and not put theirs and other citizens' lives at risk by indifferent and careless behaviour.
Some sections of the Corporate Area, like the aforementioned Marcus Garvey Drive, the North Gully and Flankers in Montego Bay, are notoriously flood-prone. We need not wait for more disasters to start wringing our hands in collective despair, wondering what to do next. An important aspect of good management is taking steps to stave off the worst effects of potential disaster.
It's time the Local Government Ministry, KSAC and parish councils intensify their efforts to clear drains and repair vulnerable infrastructure. We have no choice.
THE OPINIONS ON THIS PAGE, EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE, DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE GLEANER.
