Workmen from the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation clear blocked drains along Harbour Street, downtown Kingston, yesterday. - Norman Grindley/acting Photography editor

The Kingston and St Andrew Parish Disaster Committee is on full alert today as it prepares to respond to any report of flooding in the Corporate Area.

But Mayor of Kingston, Desmond McKenzie, is hoping that his team will not be called out after last-ditch efforts to clear problem drains.

Yesterday, McKenzie led a Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) team through the Corporate Area as it targeted 24 flood-prone communities under a $3.5 million emergency drain-cleaning programme.

"The areas that we are working in include Bull Bay, Harbour Street in the vicinity of the Jamaica Stock Exchange, Boucher Gully, Nutmeg Gully and one at Deanery Road (Vineyard Town) where, whenever it rains, the road become impassable," McKenzie told The Gleaner.

He said the KSAC would also be looking at other areas, including Trafalgar Park, where residents have been complaining about flooding.

According to McKenzie, other problem areas, including the gully near Tivoli Gardens in west Kingston, would be addressed over the long term.

However, the mayor said the KSAC was finding it difficult to deal with two flood-prone areas: Callaloo Bed in western St Andrew and Harbour View in East Rural St Andrew.

Containers blocking

"We have not been able to deal with any drains in Callaloo Bed because of the scrap metal dealers who have their containers blocking the area, and I fear the worst for the people if the rain comes, and comes as hard as projected," McKenzie added.

He said the flooding problem in Harbour View can be blamed on squatters on the hillside in the area.

"Harbour View has now become the third on our list of priority areas that we are concerned about at this time."