Fearing repeat of Beryl flooding, Waterford residents want Adair Drive gully cleaned and repaired

As Jamaica braces for the impact of Tropical Storm Melissa, residents of Waterford in Portmore, St. Catherine, are sounding the alarm over the deteriorating state of the gully along Adair Drive — one of the main drainage channels that carries stormwater out to the Caribbean Sea.

The gully, which residents say has not been properly maintained for years, has now become a source of major concern with the looming weather system expected to bring heavy rains and possible flooding.

Darlhany Henry, a long-time resident of Waterford, said the gully began to break away two years ago because of blockages that have increased pressure on the existing structure.

“With the rains that are expected, we are fearful that major flooding will occur and residents will be flooded out,” Henry said, noting that last year Hurricane Beryl caused major flooding in Waterford, which saw a number of homes being inundated.

Member of Parliament for St Catherine South Eastern, Dr Alfred Dawes, agreed that the Adair Drive gully is in a deplorable state and poses a direct threat to residents.

“Without any doubt, this gully poses a threat to residents because it has not been cleaned for years — any downpour will cause flooding,” Dawes told The Gleaner.

He further noted that the blockage has caused the water to rise dangerously close to the top of the drain.

“With the water coming all the way up to the top where it empties into Dawkins Pond, I can see significant flooding throughout Waterford,” Henry added.

Councillor for the Waterford Division, Fenley Douglas, said he has made repeated pleas to the National Works Agency (NWA) to address the drainage problems, but to no avail.

“It is extremely unfortunate that with this major system looming, we are discussing the Adair Drive gully,” Douglas stated.

He continued, “I have been asking for years for a maintenance programme to be put in place so that it is cleaned once a year by central government, but it has not happened.”

Douglas also pointed to the crumbling road network as a result of the unaddressed drainage issues.

“We are seeing manholes developing in the major road because floodwaters eat away the marl under the road,” he explained.

The councillor is calling for the Government to take urgent action before disaster strikes, adding that it must provide the funds to clean the drain.

Residents say time is running out, and unless immediate steps are taken to clear the gully, the community could again face the devastating floodwaters that overwhelmed it during Hurricane Beryl.

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