Trough System brings depression

by Christina Smith and Jada Chambers

Vincentians have no doubt been feeling as if they are living under consistent hurricane-like conditions as heavy rains and thunderstorms have been lashing the country from the start of November.

Two and a half weeks of steady showers has resulted in low-lying areas being flooded, and hillside communities experiencing land slippage.

Capital city, Kingstown and its suburbs have not been spared flooding and damage.

As the rains let up a bit on Tuesday, teams from the Roads, Buildings and General Services Authority (BRAGSA), were mobilized in various communities to remove debris from roads.

Among the areas served were Vermont- whose river was flooded as early as Sunday, November 17, 2024, Questelles, Longline, Georgie Gutter, Fair Hall, Yambou, and Belmont.

The Marriaqua Valley was hard hit with more than a dozen landslides occurring in Sayers, Mesopotamia, La Croix, Yambou, Richland Park and Calder. In the north east, Langley Park and Rabacca also felt the fury of the torrential rains which caused flooding and dumped debris onto bridges in the area.

Electricity outages were reported in a few areas as a result of fallen trees that damaged power lines. Water disruptions also occurred in interior communities, as well as North Windward and North Leeward, with up to 15 households in Rockies on the outskirts of Kingstown, left without a water supply.

With a little over a week to go before the hurricane season officially closes, more rainfall is predicted.
Forecaster with the SVG Meteorological Services, Gregory Cato, said the month of November is typically one of the wettest months of the year, and this year is in keeping with that trend.

He disclosed that rainfall accumulation from November 1 to 19 shows a significant increase above average levels recorded in the past.

“For November, we normally get on average 293.1 mm. So far for November for AIA [Argyle International Airport] we have 355.1 mm. That is way beyond what is average, and the month is not over as yet. Also, we are not outside of the hurricane season, so that figure could increase by the time the end of November comes.”

Cato cautioned the public to keep abreast of information from the Met Office over the weekend as the country is not yet “out of the woods”.

“From what we are seeing here, there is definitely a high chance of showers and thunderstorms…. Saturday going into Sunday. There is a chance that we could be moving into a watch or warning.”

Cato also noted that due to the constant rainfall and the soils already being saturated, it is important for members of the public to remain vigilant over the weekend.