Rasbert Turner and Petrina Francis, Gleaner Writers

Persistent rains have severely eroded the main road through New Monkland in St. Thomas and left motorists stranded as there is n route to Seaforth and onwards to the parish capital, Morant Bay.- Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

As heavy rainfall associated with Hurricane Noel continues to lash the island, a St. Catherine community has been plunged into a state of shock following the drowning of a three-year-old in a flooded drain.

According to the Linstead police, about 2:30 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, Jhae-Quan Jarrett of the Bermady Basic School was among a group of students heading home when he attempted to cross a flooded drain along the Bermady main road and was swept away by the strong body of water.

An alarm was raised and a search and rescue started. The child's mutilated body, still clad in his khaki uniform, was found yesterday morning at the rear of a premises.

According to Constabulary Communication Network officer for St. Catherine North, Corporal Maxine Russell-Thomas, parents and guardians need to be on the alert.

"At this time, when the rain is falling heavily and in any other type of natural disaster, it is only wise that parents and guardians be vigilant with their children especially at such a young age," she said.

at least two dead

The death of Jhae-Quan brings to at least two, the number of deaths that have been associated with the heavy rainfall. Laura Reid was killed Wednesday morning when the house she occupied with her friend Lorraine Butler in Mud Town, off the Gordon Town main road in St. Andrew, caved in.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Service said showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected on the weekend.

The National Works Agency (NWA) yesterday reported that 17 roadways remained impassable in four parishes, while several others were only open to single-lane access.

Stephen Shaw, communication and customer services manager at the NWA, said St. Andrew accounted for most of the roadways that were impassable, noting that eight road sections were blocked. These roads are in the communities of Mavis Bank, Robertsfield, Halls Delight, Westphalia, Dallas, Flamstead, Kintyre and Lime Tree.