Several pump trucks extracted water from Pinewood to alleviate the accumulation of flood waters.
By LETRE SWEETING
Tribune Staff Reporter
lsweeting@tribunemedia.net
THE Ministry of Works has launched an emergency water extraction plan to better address flooding and other water issues caused by extreme weather conditions.
The Ministry's Emergency Water Extraction Plan, which commenced last week, will be focused primarily on those low-lying areas in New Providence that have historically suffered from extreme flooding, such as Pinewood, Nassau Village, and Bay Street.
The Ministry said in a press release that the plan is designed to mitigate issues such as overwhelmed local drainage systems and extensive water logging, which pose significant challenges to residents and motorists.
"The Ministry Of Works and Utilities immediately implemented its emergency flood mitigation plan which involved the contracting of several pump trucks designed to rapidly remove excess water from inundated areas.
"As Ministry officials are mindful of the escalating intensity and frequency of these weather events, this emergency exercise is not a long-term solution.
"It is envisaged that with improved urban planning and proactive measures to combat the impacts of climate change, the Ministry will solidify its flood and drainage plan to ensure that the areas prone to flooding are more resilient."
This latest initiative comes two months into the hurricane season after many throughout the islands of The Bahamas have seen extensive damage to their businesses and homes due to extensive rain and flooding.
In June, a Royal Navy vessel was called in to help pump out water from severely flooded areas in Exuma.
The island experienced knee-high floods gushing through the streets, roads cut off, and cars submerged under muddy water. Some residents were stuck in their homes due to the flooding.
Comments
realitycheck242 8 months, 4 weeks ago
"In June, a Royal Navy vessel was called in to help pump out water from severely flooded areas in Exuma."
Why does the Tribune continue to call the RBDF vessel HMBS Lawrence Major a royal navy vessel. Come on check the facts, you are showing disrespect for the Royal Bahamas Defence Force which sent the Lawrence Major to Exuma in june loaded with pumps form their emergency warehouse stocks. Something they are mandated to do in times of emergency.
ThisIsOurs 8 months, 4 weeks ago
"This latest initiative comes two months into the hurricane season
Clear evidence that this is no "plan" at all. Just PR busy work that will wash away with the next downpour
ted4bz 8 months, 3 weeks ago
How much will this cost to do it this way, only for it not to work? Someone suggested 10 years ago to lay drain pipes and feed it into the Sea Breeze canal. I don't know if that was practical because during high tide and heavy rain the canal might also overflow, I don't know. Exactly how are they going to rectify this issue?
Sickened 8 months, 3 weeks ago
It's easy enough to put a pumping system on Bay Street to pump away water into the harbour.
rosiepi 8 months, 3 weeks ago
If they had any plan or it’s intention they’d be crowing over it. Any more talk of a ‘plan’ for Pinewood etc. will only come near election time and it still won’t be a plan. Sigh.
DWW 8 months, 3 weeks ago
literal bandaid on a massive wound. this is like trying to fill up a carnival cruise ship with water 1 bucket at a time.
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