Letter of the Day | Problem of flooding has worsened over the years

THE EDITOR, Madam:

As a child growing up in the country area in the ’60s and early ’70s and going to primary school, we used to experience up to as much as one week or more of continuous heavy rains. During those days we never heard of any major destruction due to flooding of roadways, washing away of houses and people dying, to the extent to which it is happening today. Our parents insisted that we go to school come rain or shine, and worse, we had to walk to school, which was some distance away.

There was no concern that we would be washed away by flood waters. In fact, on our way home, we use to make little boats from anything we could find and watch them float on the drains along the roadway.

Things have changed. Nowadays whenever it rains continuously, even for as little as half an hour, it results in major flooding across the island. One has to wonder what has changed over the years.

In my opinion, lack of proper development, cutting down of trees on hillsides to construct concrete structures, building of houses in flood-prone areas and putting in infrastructure without proper drainage have contributed significantly to this change.

Back in the day, we did not have the preponderance of qualified professionals as we have today. Yet, in those days, the houses and other buildings were built with all the engineering and planning considerations which prevented them from flooding or being washed away. People were more conscious of where to build, and knew that they are not to disturb the natural path of waterways and gullies when constructing their homes.

COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTIONS

If you drive around the countryside, you will notice houses that were built decades ago are elevated, and some are even built on makeshift columns. These houses have gone through years of heavy rains and flooding, but have never been washed away. This is because the natural flow of water has not been altered.

The question we need to ask ourselves is, with all these well-trained professionals with extensive training in urban and regional planning, environmental management, infrastructure development and other related specialisations, why are we in this current predicament? The problem of flooding seems to have progressively worsened over the years, instead of becoming better.

This current situation is affecting many communities across the island and not only confined to squatter areas, as it is generally made out to be. The root causes of the problem should be unearthed, and comprehensive solutions implemented.

AUBYN PERKINS

Mandeville, Manchester