– King says after heavy afternoon showers cause flooding
ooding around Georgeown. While some $240 million was budgeted to deal with rainage works around the ity, Venture explained that he M&CC did not have the unds “readily available” nd as such was doing the work in phases. He also statd that his department has een working along with the ouncillors for each contituency and residents of the ommunities that are prone o flooding.
“You will find that we will not be doing any major works during these rainy periods but just to address the areas that are critical in the various wards,” he said. Special attention was being placed on areas such as Alexander Village, South, North, East and West Ruimveldt, Campbellville and Queenstown, which are areas that are known to flood easily, he added.
In terms of South and North Ruimveldt, King highlighted that the council has been having difficulties clearing the canals. “We are working with the drains in those areas and we know we have to deal with the Cane View Canal. We know the Downer Canal, North Sideline and so on. Of course we are still having some difficulties with clearing some of the canals because of the phenomenon of squatting. It is very, very hard for us to get our machines in there to clear and as a result we are having problems in those areas,” King said.
He also explained that because some of the squatters use pit latrines, waste flows into the canals, creating “the right environment for aggressive aquatic growth” and makes it increasingly difficult for the M&CC to keep the waterways clear and clean.
He also said that the council is working along with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and the Central Housing and Planning Authority to relocate the squatters in order to gain access to the canals to properly clean the drainage system in the areas.
Meanwhile, in order to further broaden its data collection capabilities, King said the M&CC was contemplating using drones to gather information. “…With respect to overtopping in certain areas so that we will be guided and we will be able to do the kind of works that will allow the citizens to be comfortable,” he added.
In addition to using the drones to collect information with regard to flooding, King pointed out that they will be used to gather information about traffic flow in the city and assist the City Constabulary in