The Meteorological Office issued a flood warning for Dominica, associated with moisture and instability on Sunday, November 5. The eastern coast was mostly affected by that trough system which caused damage to road structures and houses in the Kalinago Territory. The trough system caused severe damage to communities on the eastern coast of Dominica.
The Kalinago Territory, Atkinson, and Antrizle got the brunt of the impact. It rained continuously for four hours causing landslides, rock falls, and the washing away of the main road making it impossible for small vehicles to travel in that area last night. Today, vehicular traffic has resumed on the road, but motorists must exercise caution. Meanwhile, people traveling to Atkinson from the north were also left stranded and had to abandon their vehicles and walk to their homes.
There were two major landslides in Crayfish River due to heavy rainfall. One of the slides occurred approximately ten feet away from one private residence, a situation that occurred as a result of the road rehabilitation and expansion program in the Kalinago Territory.
Though the house is compromised, and urgent intervention is needed to save the structure, the occupant of the house, Mr. Paris said, “No one in authority has yet to approach me to have a discussion. My fear right now is, if we get more rain, there is a strong possibility of another landslide and the house would go with it”.
The hope is that the authorities can address quickly the current situation in the Kalinago Territory and bring some relief to the people.
Though the house is compromised, and urgent intervention is needed to save the structure, the occupant of the house, Mr Paris said “No one in authority has yet to approach me to have a discussion. My fear right now is, if we get more rain, there is a strong possibility of another landslide and the house would go with it”. But, mr. Paris, don’t you think it’s you who have to contact your insurance? But still, you didn’t insure the land but your house. Again, (typical Dominicans) if you need or want help from the “authorities” (whoever they are) it is you who have to get in touch with them! And if you are a Red Gardiner you should have no problem at all. The human race should today is more backwards than 50 and 60 years ago. No body wants to help themselves, let alone their neighbors. If a house is on fire 🔥 there’ll be folks taking pics and videoing the destruction of the house. 50 years ago people would form a human chain passing water to put out the fire. It’s a different world today
It would appear that the collapse of the hillside in front of Mr. Paris’s property is the result of ill-conceived road cutting – civil engineering blunders that account for most of our landslides.
That being the case, Mr. Paris is right in expecting the authorities to do something about it.