James Thomas ponders the hardships faced by the community in the aftermath of a flood which wrecked Swift River in 2002. - Norman Grindley/Staff Photographer
RESIDENTS OF the rural community of Swift River, Portland, are today resorting to primitive methods of obtaining water for domestic purposes. More than two years after a severe flood devastated the community, water supply to the area has not been resumed.
"Wi now haffi guh find water hole fi get a bucket a water fi put in mi place," said James Thomas, the owner of a small grocery shop in the community.
Flood rains which ripped through houses and farm lands has caused a huge build up of soil along the road, in yards and buildings in the community.
When The Sunday Gleaner visited the area on Thursday, several key institutions such as the health centre and basic school no longer existed. The buildings now stand desolate and shoddy as a result of the damage caused by the raging waters.
Mr. Thomas said he had to sell his house to restart his business after the floods. He now lives in a section of the shop he operates in the district. Standing from behind the counter of his sparsely stocked shop, the 69-year-old resident lamented the loss of thousands of dollars worth of goods. He said he has had to abandon plans to expand his business as a result of the difficulties he has encountered since the flood.
TARDINESS
He, along with other residents in the area, pointed to the tardiness of the authorities whom they believe, have abandoned them. They complained that numerous promises that were made by both politicians and Government officials at the time of the floods, have not materialised to this day.
"All now wi nuh get back nuh water in de area yet. All wi plea, dem nuh run back di pipe," said the distressed elderly man.
He explained that a water tank which was erected years ago to store water supplied by the Parish Council, is now dry as the Council has stopped supplying water.
While many have attempted to pick up the pieces, others, like Mr. Thomas say the task has been cumbersome.
In the aftermath of the flood rains, the National Works Agency (NWA) said it had rehabilitated the approaches to the Spanish and Swift River bridges, enabling the resumption of vehicular traffic. River training work was also carried out to widen the river channel. This was done at a cost of just under $90 million.
But residents are adamant that more needs to be done to channel the raging waters during heavy rainfall. Timothy Blake, another resident, is certain that there will be a repeat of the disaster when the rains start again.
"Mi nuh know bout dem, but mi a look for it," he said while pointing to the river with his dirt-stained cutlass. He was just returning from his farm when he stopped to speak with our news team.
Meanwhile residents in the community of Bybrook, located deep in the low-lying valleys of the Portland Hills, are yet to be relocated as promised by the Government. With two springs and a river forming part of the natural landscape, the community and its residents are often the victim of frequent flooding, the most recent occurring last month.
Residents are showing signs of distress and frustration as a result of the damage and hardships they encounter from the floods. Several have left the community after the river and spring wreaked havoc on the village. A few houses now stand empty, surrounded by huge collections of rocks and soil.
Sharmaine Burgess, a native of the low lying village situated amongst lush green vegetation and steep hills, pointed out that residents face the uncertainty of being trapped in or shut out of the community whenever it rains. She explained that the gushing waters from the dangerous 'Dry Spring' which flows across the road, split the community into two halves, restricting movement. When this happens, she said residents are left stranded for hours, especially schoolchildren who are prevented from attending school.
Now, the roll of thunder or the splash of raindrops, serve as an alarm bell for something terrible in the making.
Rachael Powell, another resident whose house could be demolished any moment now by the large boulders and gushing waters transported by the spring, remarked that "every time di rain fall wi fret cause the river coming dis way and di spring coming dis way." On the verandah, she pointed to a wardrobe that was destroyed by the flood. It now serves as a nest for the fowls around her yard to lay their eggs.
These residents are also without potable drinking water, and no reliable means of transportation as a result of the poor conditions of the roads leading into the community .
"Wi have to ketch it from the spring and boil it," an elderly Julia Dunbar pointed out. "It bad roun' here, nobody nuh business wid wi," she added.
Following the flood rains, the Government had proposed to relocate residents to lands located in Craig Mill. However, this is yet to materialise. The cost of acquiring the 60-acre property was estimated at $10 million.
J.M.
