NWA ramps up TS Melissa preparations, drains, gullies and waterways being cleaned

The National Works Agency (NWA) is reporting that it has intensified its preparations for impact of Tropical Storm Melissa on Jamaica.

The NWA says the ramped up activities include re-cleaning of drains, desilting of gullies and waterways, as well as stockpiling of materials.

Manager, Communication and Customer Services at the NWA, Stephen Shaw, says that the agency has since yesterday undertaken additional drain cleaning works, especially in communities along the southern section of Jamaica.

He says that the additional works are being done through an allotment of some $200 million in emergency funds from the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development.

Shaw says that communities in St Thomas, St Andrew, Kingston, St Catherine, Clarendon, Manchester and St Elizabeth are being specifically targeted.

These lie along the southern section of Jamaica which, based on the information from the Metrological Office, are likely to feel the greatest impact of the storm.

Additional, works are also being done in St Ann, St Mary and Hanover.

Shaw says desilting activities in the lower section of the Sandy Gully in St Andrew are progressing well.

Up to 4 o’clock this afternoon, over 100 truckloads of material had been removed from the area in the vicinity of the bridge along Spanish Town Road.

The protective work with sand bags in the McGregor Gully was also over 90% complete at the two targeted locations.

Shaw is reminding road users to exercise extreme caution in using corridors over the next 48 hours, especially where it is raining.

He says that flooding is likely in many areas, as they are low-lying and that rock falls may impact other corridors.

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