NWA Carrying Out Preparatory Work

The National Works Agency (NWA) is carrying out preparatory work in flood prone areas across the island to minimise any damage associated with the passage of Hurricane Matthew.

Matthew, which is now a Category Four hurricane, is expected to impact the island as early as Sunday (October 2). A hurricane warning has been issued for Jamaica as at Saturday, October 1.

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, said the work that is being done involves the clearing of water channels, and ensuring that riverbanks are strengthened in order to reduce flooding.

Mr. Holness was speaking in an interview with journalists at the Chalky River in East Rural St. Andrew today (Oct. 1).

“This is a perfect example of how the NWA is doing preparatory work for the hurricane. Clearly, we are expecting heavy rains and wind and that will mean greater deposits of water and silt and if this river path is flooded or blocked, communities along its path will be adversely affected,” he pointed out.

Member of Parliament for the area, the Most Hon. Juliet Holness, said the work being undertaken is expected to minimise flooding.

She said that all the drains along the path have also been cleared to allow for free water flow into the riverbed.

For his part, Assistant Parish Manager for St. Andrew, NWA, Christopher Hemmings, informed that a trench has been dug that will allow the flow of water into the Chalky River.

“We are trying to create a banking to protect those residents from Taylor Land because from time to time, the water goes over there. We are trying to keep all the water as best as possible downstream in the Chalky River,” he said.

Flooding usually affects residents residing in Weise Road and adjoining areas.

The Prime Minister also visited St. James today to observe preparatory work.