Shortly after midnight on Thursday 28th July, 2011 the torrential rainfall emanating from the passage of a tropical wave within the Eastern Caribbean region unleashed a very devastating blow to a section of the Layou Valley Basin. The extremely heavy rainfall generated an awfully large concentration of runoff within a short period which caused a breach and ultimate collapse of the Matthieu Dam that was formed as a result of the Carholme landslide in 1997 – a massive shear failure of a segment of the pumice ridge which flanks the northern face of the Layou River catchment.
The area more significantly affected included a 4km stretch from the lower plains of Hillsborough – Clarke Hall – Café – Layou Valley. The main damage sustained are the roadway from the Hillsborough Bridge to the Layou Valley (Gleau Chaud) Bridge, Hillsborough Agricultural Estate, section of Hillsborough Estate (agricultural plot and Wacky Rollers concern), residential buildings in Clark Hall, farmlands. Of tremendous concerns also is the 16m (52ft) center span of the 3-span Gleau Chaud Bridge that was washed away in the flood.
Meantime an initial assessment has been undertaken by the engineering section of the Ministry of Public Works, Energy and Ports to rapidly provide a description of the impact of the flood on the road infrastructure, to determine areas critically affected and, to propose a response (short and longer term).
Due to the nature of the island’s rugged topography, a substantial amount of the road infrastructure lies either along the coast or along river banks. In many instances, the proximity and low level above mean sea or river levels of the coastal routes make them quite vulnerable to coastal and flood damage emanating from storm and hurricanes.
The impact on the 4km of road and other infrastructure downstream of the Gleau Chaud Bridge was quite severe.
In addition, essential utilities (water, electricity, telephone) were also affected. The damage sustained by the agricultural station was particularly devastating.
The structure suffering more significant damage was the Clark Hall Bridge. The existing bridge comprised 3-span and provided for single lane traffic. Each span is approximately 16m (52ft) for a total length of 48m (158ft). The deck was of composite construction (reinforced concrete slab supported on steel girders).
The centre span of the structure was washed away during the flood. The remaining western span appeared severely damaged.
Damage estimate to infrastructure by Layou flood
1. Propose road realignment
And construction of river defences 10,000,000
2. Provision for river training works 4,000,000
3. New Gleau Chaud Bridge 8,000,000
TOTAL EC$22,000,000
The response from the Ministry of Public, Energy and Ports is still ongoing and we are working in collaboration with the Office of Disaster Management who secured a visit from Dr. David Farrell, a trained hydrologist and Principal of the Caribbean Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology from July 30th to August 2nd 2011 to assess the safety of the Layou Valley.
Meantime a technical mission from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) which compromises a Disaster Risk Specialist and a Civil Engineer carrying out an independent damage assessment as well as a stability and safety evaluation of the site from August 3rd to August 4th 2011.
Where were the professional technical people and engineers when first the landslide happened and formed the dam?Instead of doing something about it they took pride in calling it Miracle Lake and trying to sell it to the world at the risk of people’s lives.Don’t they know that when soil is saturatd with water it will eventually wash away?It was soil barring the water and not rock,i hope a lesson has been learnt and the next time something of this nature happens it will be blasted and not be allowed to collect water.
government should use a portion of the palace money to do repairs on the country
GUESS IF ONE DOMINICAN WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT DISASTER…… THE HEAVY RAIN STORM….(WEATHER) AND WE HAD SOMEONE TO BLAME….OH MY GOD DOMINICA WOULD BE ON FIRE……. RIGHT NOW…
THE GOVERNMENT OF A COUNTRY IS NOT AN INDIVIDUAL…..WE THE PEOPLE ARE…AND IF WE DON’T STAND AND SUPPORT OURS WE GONNA CRUMBLE TO THE GROUND, AND GET WASHED AWAY INTO THE SEA..
WE SEEM NOT TO PAY ATTENTION TO THAT MAN UPSTAIRS….WHILE HE WHISPERS IN SILENCE….BUT HE HAS PROVEN THAT…..HE CAN SEE US EVEN AFTER WE TURN OFF THE LIGHTS…
PEOPLE…..
ALL WE NEED IS LITTLE LOVE, BUT THE ENERGY THAT WE GIVE OUT! IS OF PURE HATE AND NEGATIVITY..
WE OFTEN SAY WHY US, BUT THEN A GREATER POWER SAYS WHY NOT…
WHAT HAPPEN TO US? CAN WE EVEN BOAST OURSELVES AND OUR COUNTRY ANY MORE? WHAT BECAME OF OUR PROUD DOMINICANS…..?
WE SHOULD GO BACK IN TIME …..
Thank you Minister for the prompt summary report (with pictures) on this tragic situation, which could have been so much more devastating. God is indeed merciful to Dominica! This is the type of prompt and informative response expected from public officials when matters of national interest arise, be they inquiries from the public or natural disasters.
Would you be able to present an estimate on the revenue value of the tarish and sand deposits now in the river? Also, how do you plan to ensure that the proceeds from any sales is primarily pumped back into that Valley area to restore the residents and infrastructure to pre-flood state or better.
Regarding what caused the dam to burst so suddenly: is it possible that an earthquake similar to the one that caused the Carholme slide in 1997 triggered this situation? I just cannot fathom that the wave caused it.
Hopefully, the new bride will be TWO LANES
I agree and anything less than a two lane bridge will be another disaster and a lack of strategic thinking by those governing this country.
FOR THE UNRIGHTEOUS PEOPLE, YOUR MOUNTAINS SHALL TURN TO SAND…
MAY THE ALMIGHTY HAVE MERCY ON THOSE WHO SEEK HIS FACE
This damage was intensive and disappointing. It will be costly to repair, rebuilt and restore. As I always say, accidents do happen and always will. We must be able to discern that some of them are not preventable.
Are you aware what occurred in New Orleans some years ago and also what occurs elsewhere?
Hats off to the positive ones who commented on this article. You are far and in between.
Let us pray and hope for restoration of the dam, land and property of the Layou people. Everything takes time and cost money. Keep positive as always.
There is no competition between the prime minister and his cabinet member, however it is the best interest of the country for a prime minister to put smarter people around him.
I always say all allu D/cans worth is complain complain complain… is not just rebuilding the damn bridge it making safer for all allu bias nincompoops
god sorry to say that ,that’s why Dominica is like that now all what is happening there. because god ready to turn back on Dominica people too negative and playing too much politics, ask all u pal rep what they are doing sakwa sout by ass people
I remember when we once asked Public works for an estimate to build an internal road in our property.
Their estimate was amounting to 232.000 $ which seemed incredibly high.
We finally did it with a local contractor and it cost us 70.000 $ .
Let’s be serious. 8.000.000 $ for the bridge ? Are we really talking about REBUILDING what was damaged ?
This is not a fair statement.
AS I WAS SAYING: It’s alleged that the government was warned about the impending disaster which could have occurred whan the walls of this dam would collapse, and no subsequent action was taken to mitigate the effect of the millions of gallons of water which this dam contained…If this can be verified, this is again gross and inexplicable dereliction of duty by those who are supposed to manage/lead us,and it would be a serious indictment on this incompetent government.Mr Blackmore can you please respond to my comment?
I would like a response as well! And those who don’t want to know. expose that in their heart they only care when the rain is falling on their house.
Thanks for the update. This is the type of reports/updates/news we need to deliver.
RayBurn you can talk all you want but you will not get the P.M’s job.You already say that you will not give it back to him, so off you go!!!
You sir are always articulate and forth coming.
I don’t necessarily agree with what the leadership of the DLP has become but you sir would make an excellent Prime Minister one day.
This article and your response to the disaster is a testament to that.
Keep it up sir.
Jim Duggan
very professional approach to informthe nation, wish other ministers in yoiur cabinet would take a cue form you approach, we need the minister of agriculture to give us a report like this re the state of agriculture in our beloved state
This is so funny. The submission was under the name ‘Anonymous’ yet it is signed ‘Jim Duggan’. Priceless!!
My thoughts as well, clearly playing smart and not being clever.
It seems Jim Duggan doesn’t want the computers he uses to store his name.That’s why it is anonymous yet signs Jim Duggan. He doesn’t want to reveal his identity.
i think i am going to be sick, you are too gullible. do u really think so?? prime minister?? really ????? u entitled to your opinion, but i totally disagree. and that last name doesn’t appear to be local. if u used anonymous why sign out with your name??? your nose is brown sir, very brown….
relinquish your micro management of public works and empower the manager and board of directors to say no to your ministry when they do not pay their debts, just as PWC creditors say no to them when they have overextended their credit..it is only fair….
yet AGAIN!!! PWC workers cant get paid and here u are quoting figures left right and center. how can we trust you to do the right thing with that 22mill you talking about here my friend???? please post my comment admin i begging you…..
There is the Ministry of Public Works and there is the Statutory Corporation — Public Works Corporation. This confuses some persons and I always thought that they should change the Corporation’s Name or rename the Department (Ministry). This confuses a lot of persons and I have to point that to them of the difference of the two.
The reports estimate above relates to the Ministry and not thePublic Works Corporation (PWC). The Ministry deals with all the Public Works aspect of the country – Bridges Roads etc.
Don’t try to educate me here, I am well aware of the difference of the two, but if u read my comment you will understand exactly what I am saying, don’t come here like a mercenary trying to dilute the effect of my statement.
PLEASE
THE PEOPLE WHO OWN LAND IN THE LAYOU VALLEY THAT WAS WASHED DOWN IN THE LANDSLIDE OUGHT TO BE IN A POSITION TO CLAIM LEGALLY/BENEFICIALLY FROM THE PROCEEDS OF SALE OF THE SAID LAND/SAND ETC. ITS THEIR PROPERTY AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ARE BEING EARNED THROUGH THESE LANDSLIDES AND THESE PEOPLE ARE BEING ROBBED OF THEIR RIGHTFUL PROPERTY. THIS IS INTOLERABLE AND SOME PERSON WROTE A BLOG ON THE DOMINICA DISAPORA TO THIS EFFECT. SO PEOPLE OF LAYOU AND DOMINICA PLEASE CHECK THIS OUT…SPREAD THE NEWS AND STAND UP TO CLAIM YOUR RIGHTFUL SHARE IN THE MINNING/SALE OF YOUR VERY LANDLIDE-PROPERTY.
allu wishhhhh, not in this state of affairs. i wish it could be that way, but sadly it just is not.
not with the “gentlemen” that waiting to use our own laws to beat us.
This is a very good idea and only fair. A portion of any monies made from the sale of the sand deposits should be used to repair, replace, restore the Layou/Clark Hall people and infrastructure to their respective conditions, at least prior to the flood.
There is such a thing as “Act of God”. Check the insurance companies. They invented it.
LAYOUVALLEY BIGBULLO! Are you kidding me with your blog? If those land owners should get any royalties from this sand, it would defy logic.
These are my what if….
What if the Government was to file a counter suit against the land owners, claiming among other things:-
1. Structural damage to the Bridge, roads etc. to the tune of M$22,000,000.00
2. Pain and suffering to the general public and in particular the people of Layout Park and layout/St. Joseph.
3. Dowasco joined into the suit claiming damage to its water line.
What if the Government also asked the court to have these gentlemen to take out all their soil/sand from the river within a specified period of time, failing which it would remove it and bill the owners?
I wonder what would be your response then.
We really need to be positive and look at things from outside the box.
If the land owners can lay claim to royalties then they must also lay claim to the cause of the structural damage.
Impressive. I wish Dominica all the best