THREE AREAS of Jamaica which were flooded as a result of the heavy rainfall of May/June and September 2002 are still affected by flood waters, says the Water Resources Authority (WRA).
In a release yesterday from managing director, Basil Fernandez, the Authority listed the areas as Porus-Redberry and Harmons in Manchester and Newmarket in St. Elizabeth.
In terms of Porus-Redberry, the WRA said that groundwater levels in Porus had declined to the level before Tropical Storms Isidore and Lili. This has occurred after 128 days, well within the 153 days predicted by the Authority. There is, at present, no flooding at Porus.
"However, the water levels have not declined to the pre-May rainfall level and any significant rainfall event could trigger another flood event," the release said. However, Mr. Fernandez pointed out that as the normal dry season continues and with natural groundwater drainage, plus the pumping of wells, the decline is expected to continue. Based on the present rate of decline it may take another 60-70 weeks before the pre-May levels are attained.
At Redberry, south of Porus, the flooding has subsided and the surface flows have declined from 110 million imperial gallons per day (migd) in November 2002 to 39.6 migd on February 7, 2003. This flow is being maintained by water moving out of storage of two mined out depressions at the Melrose bypass. As this storage is depleted, the flows at Redberry will decline and eventually cease. This should occur within another three months, the WRA said.
At Harmons, groundwater levels peaked between January 3 and 10 and has since been slowly declining. Since January 10, the water table has declined by 2.3 feet. The rate of decline should increase over the next several months.
The flood waters peaked on or about December 25. Since its peaking, the flood waters have declined by 1.5 feet up to February 7. The rate of decline is increasing and will continue to increase over the next several weeks. No definitive time frame can be given as to how long it will take these flood waters to disappear.
In Newmarket, the water level continues to decline and the Newmarket to Darliston road is now open, the flood water having drained off on January 24. For the month of January the water level in the main depression declined by 10 feet, or an average of 0.32 foot per day. Based on this rate of decline and assuming no further rainfall over the area, the main depression should be dry by July 2003.
