Flooding and landslides impacting sections of Portland amid heavy rains

The National Works Agency (NWA) is advising that the main road from Buff Bay to White Hall in Portland is now impassable.

The NWA says the road is blocked in the community of Craigmill, where the river is in spate, resulting from heavy rains now affecting the parish.

The Craigmill area is navigated with the assistance of a high Ford, as the bridge that was used by motorists was closed several years ago.

A new bridge is now being procured and is to be constructed at the same location as the defective structure.

Manager of Communication and Customer Services, Stephen Shaw, says other areas in Portland are being impacted by the inclement weather.

Landslides are impacting the main road from Ecclesdown to Muirton, while rock falls have been reported along the Williamsfield to Haining corridor.

Shaw says that contractors have been mobilised and that clearance of these corridors is expected before the end of the afternoon, weather permitting.

Shaw is advising residents of flood-prone and landslide impacted areas of Portland to exercise caution in their travels, over the next several hours, as the rains continue to impact the parish.

On Monday night, the Met office issued a flash flood watch for low-lying and flood-prone areas of St Mary, Portland, St Catherine, Clarendon, and Manchester.

The measure is to remain in place until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

A flash flood watch means that flash flooding is possible, and residents are advised to take precautionary measures and be ready for quick action if flooding is observed or if a warning is issued.

The agency stated that a Broad Trough currently extending across the central and western Caribbean has been generating unstable weather conditions across sections of Jamaica since Friday.

Rainfall and observational data indicates that periods of showers and thunderstorms have been affecting mainly northeastern and south-central parishes during this time.

The current forecast is for periods of showers and thunderstorms, which may be heavy at times, to continue across Jamaica on Tuesday, especially across northeastern and south-central parishes.

Given the persistent rainfall across these parishes, and subsequent soil saturation, the likelihood remains for flash flooding to occur even during periods of moderate rainfall.

Fishers and other marine interests should continue to exercise caution as sea conditions will deteriorate in the vicinity of showers and thunderstorms.

The Met office said it will continue to monitor the system.

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