Several roadways across the island impassable due to flooding, landslides

The National Works Agency (NWA), is reporting that roadways across several parishes continue to be affected by rain pelting the island, leaving some impassable, due to landslides and flooding, while others have been reduced to single lane traffic.

Among the major corridors that are now impassable are, the Bog Walk Gorge in St. Catherine, the corridor from Spalding to Cave Valley, Clarendon and Gordon Town Road in St. Andrew.

The main road from Lacovia to Maggotty in St. Elizabeth is also impassable due to a landslide at Rice Piece, while Holland Bamboo Avenue has been reduced to single lane, due to fallen trees.

The main road near the Black River High School is now impassable, while operators of small vehicles are advised not to attempt to use the road between Luana and Black River at Spring Park. These areas are now flooded.

In Hanover the main road from Riley to Glasgow has been reduced to single lane due to fallen trees, while there are reports of landslides impacting the road through Lewisburg in St. Mary.

Manager of Communication and Customer Services at the NWA, Stephen Shaw, says that teams from the agency are now attempting to reopen those corridors that are deemed safe to execute the needed clearance. 

Mr. Shaw informed that the Gordon Town Road, which is being impacted by a recurring landslide, will remain impassable until it is determined that it is safe to undertake the clearance exercise.

According to Shaw, continuous rainfall in the area and the instability of the embankment, pose serious risks for clearance at this time.

Elsewhere in St. Andrew, work crews are now attempting to reopen the main road from Unity to Toms River at Florence Hill.

Similar work is also underway on the stretch from St. Christopher to Glengoffe, at Top Road, and at Border. The corridors are currently being blocked by landslides and fallen trees.

A team will be assessing the road through the Bog Walk Gorge as soon as the flood waters recede. 

Mr. Shaw has urged motorists to exercise extreme caution in using some of the roads at this time, as embankment failures are likely, given the persistent rains over the last several days.

We want to hear from you! Email us at star@gleanerjm.com and follow @thejamaicastar on Instagram and on twitter @JamaicaStar, and on Facebook: @TheJamaicaStar.