Public Works Minister Rayburn Blackmoore says damage in Dominica caused by heavy rainfall over the last few days were severe and clean up could cost up to $1.3-million.
A government team visited affected areas in the east on Thursday.
Blackmoore told the media that the heavy rainfall has affected some of the areas in a terrible way.
The minister while a dollar figure associated with the damages could not be determined at this time but “in terms of the cleaning up efforts, we are looking at $1.3-million”.
“It was more severe in areas like La Plaine, Grand Fond, Petit Soufriere and the Carib Territory, Penville and Veille Case. We saw evidence of a number of slides, failure of various roads and the collapsing of walls,” he pointed out.
He said government now has to put in place the proper mechanisms and intervention.
“We need to install proper retaining walls, culvert extensions, road surfaces,” he said.
Blackmoore commended the efforts of the employees and private citizens who assisted the various communities.
Blackmoore, 1.3 mil is nothing… all you had over 22 mil just for election campaign!!
Come on, bring out the Boo-low and start fixing the damage!!
Blackmoore, we all know that heavy rain can cause severe damage… that is not the issue… the question is what are you going to do about the apparently avoidable severe damage?
you politicians make me sick… you use your psychological strategies to confuse the poor people of Dominica and YOU AVOID FROM THE REALITY!!!
WE TRAVEL TO OTHER COUNTRIES BUT WE DONT WANT CHINESE IN OUR COUNTRY. IF WE MOCK THE CHINESE WE WILL BE MOCK IN OTHER COUNTRIES AS WELL.
so be it but the chinese WILL BE MOCKED
THEY ARE CUNNING INVADERS
THEY INVADE THE WHOLE DAMN PLANET LIKE A DAMN VIRUS.
GO DO SOME RESEARCH AND U WILL FIND EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT IT.
what a strange place, hind-sight not forsight
pple need to stop throw rubbish in the the gutters and ravines.they need to be clear so that the water will throw freely.
Stop cutting down our trees that way we will have less slides when it rain this will also help protect the damage to our roads and contamination to our water.
Preach on preach on.. Conservation is the beginning to Alleviation of this maladie!
since the fall of agriculture in dominica, it is a fact that there is less forestation as compared to the 1980’s. the open field abandoned gardens are now forested.. so we can, maybe suggest that when have a natural restored forested habitat then the rainfall will flow into the river in its full capacity(because of a restored system).
i make that assumption because the authorities have been preaching for years that deforestation is the main cause of our rivers drying up..
The Parl. Rep. along with Public Works need to get serious about protecting the communities in Dominica. We are in era where mechanical and civil engineering experts are in excess. I am very sure that Cuba Education Program have provided a few among others.
Dominica is by far one of the most rugged countries in the world and this factor needs to be taken into consideration for any construction purposes.
Take road construction – I am bit skeptical to suggest this option due to the horrible driving practices of many natives. But have the division responsible for the road networks ever thought of building tunnels to compensate or replace coastal roads, even other that prove to be in dangerous areas?
For those who are building on undulating land, practice contour designs that will slow down erosion. The use of proper drainage is compulsory nationwide. While Dominica does not have a proper sewage installation, it will continue to feel the destructive effects of heavy rainfalls.
A few good points listed…but to mitigate risks, there are a lot more that can be effective.
mr.g could elaborate,on some key points,the division may be looking at the comments and take some hints,you never know.
I don’t believe that they are giving any attention to the rosalie to grand fond road. They need 2 remember it’s one way in one way out. The road is in a deplorable state
Thats very correct. This road has been in a very bad state and the structure is very poor. There was once when the people had no access out and some people even laughed when the prime minister had to come assist through helicopter. Its a one way in one way out and therefore better care and attention needs to be given to this road leading to the community.
while Rosalie Bay Hotel is receiving high praises which is good, the government must realize that this Resort is directly at the foot of The grand fond road. What kind of attraction is this if a visitor wants to visit the community and have to leave such beauty of a resort to travel on a road in such a deplorable state? How risky is that not only for the people of this community but for visitors?
I don’t believe that they are giving any attention to the rosalie to grand fond road. They need 2 remember it’s one in one way out. The road is in a deplorable state
it is global warming. imagine here in anguilla ,we to had alot of flooding when we don’t even get rain.the whole weather pattern is changing.
PaPa,where is this?
This change in the weather pattern has much to do with Climate Change, which has only been given lip service by those in charge. While I believe in Acts of God, I do believe that some of these problems are man made because of our farming practices – slash and burn, cultivating on slopes with no regard for the contours and drainage patterns.
While I like to see infrastructural development, these developments must be Climate Resilient because these weather patterns will only get worse and we must take the necessary steps to safeguard life and property.
I am not blaming the government for the damage caused by the severe weather, but I urge them to pay attention to Climate Change Resilience. Dominica and other small island states are very vulnerable and so we must conduct our development projects with Climate Change Resilience in mind.
One very important thing :”Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain!!” Go figure!!
its the beginning of things to come with the building of all these sea defense walls.
in the case of grand fond and the other south east villages, i think that the government should seriously build the ladaut-grand fond road.it can be built in a way to reduce the number of mud slides and drastically shorten the distance between the south east and Roseau. also it will bring development to the south east area, especially the dead end village of grand fond.
the people of the south east must now speak up. let the government know that this is want you all want..
Blackmore i still waiting for the extension of the bridge in Tarreau. I did hear you saty that final designs and plans were being drawn up to accomodate the extensionof the bridge. So what the heaven are guards rails doing there right now. I would really like to know
Is it that the weather is getting more intense? Or is it that through our efforts at development whether for agriculture or infrastructure, we are not paying enough attention to conservation?
A lot of scientists think global climate change affects the strength and frequency of storms. Also, cutting down trees causes erosion because roots hold soil together, which leads to more landslides. But as Dominica is located right in a heavy rain and hurricane zone, and the island is full of cliffs and slopes, it’s really always going to happen here. All we can do is conserve our forests, strengthen our infrastructure such as dams and roads, build proper drainage, and avoid building in areas that are high risk. (Yeah that’s “all” we can do : ) )
A few good points listed…but to mitigate risks, there are a lot more than can be effective.
You are spot on when you speak conservation of the natural resources, the centuries of collecting meteorological data, will I am sure show that the average rainfall works out to be the same. The variant is human beings reckless attitude to the planet and it’s resources.
No, my good friend. it is because of haarp and the fact that the chinese are taking over our beloved country. Look up haarp on google search.
are you a fool CHINESE are all over the world so if you have northing to say don’t speak