Drains cleaned in South: No flooding on Independence Avenue
- Apr 14, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 7, 2023
File: San Fernando businesswoman Jowelle De Souza shows the high water levels in a drain at the side of her workplace on Independence Avenue, San Fernando, last week - RISHI RAGOONATH
RADHICA DE SILVA
For the first time in months, Independence Avenue in San Fernando remained free from floods after the San Fernando City Corporation conducted extensive work to clear clogged underground drains.
Jowelle’s Hair Salon owner Jowelle De Souza, who first highlighted the issue, on Thursday expressed satisfaction that work was done, saying the water has been running freely.
De Souza had spent over $100,000 to hire private engineers to assess the cause of the flooding, which toppled a wall behind her salon.
The engineers found a big boulder inside the underground drain and shrubs growing from the manholes, which prevented the free flow of water. A wall near the Naparima Bowl was also damaged by the frequent floods. However, after CNC3 News highlighted the problem last week and showed evidence of the blockage, San Fernando West MP Faris Al-Rawi, whose office is located on Independence Avenue, promised to bring relief.
De Souza said the corporation managed to crush the big boulder and then use a vacuum to suck up the debris. She said the corporation workers also went into every property along Independence Avenue to assess the drainage and to clear the water courses.
“This problem of flooding had caused me distress for months but now I am happy that the problem is rectified. The workers have been coming here every day assessing the water flow and ensuring that the drainage is clean,” she said.
San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello added: “The matter of flooding has been affecting the area. There was a culvert and a huge rock that was blocking the water from flowing. We had to get specialised equipment to rectify this and we are all happy now.”
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