Belama under Water, Apollo Street is Now Apollo River
Here in the City, the picture is much the same, there is water everywhere in most parts of low-lying areas in Belama phases three to five. Some residents have left their homes, seeking refuge elsewhere, while others will have to traverse through the water if they have to leave their homes. Here is News Five’s Isani Cayetano with a report.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
Residents of Belama, phases three and four, are severely inconvenienced getting into and out of their homes, as well as traversing nearby streets. There is floodwater everywhere. From the look of it, the deluge that has overwhelmed Apollo Street since the beginning of the month will not be receding anytime soon. Until then, small cars won’t be able to access this thoroughfare and foot traffic is miserable.
Ernesto Herrera
Ernesto Herrera, Resident, Belama Phase 4
“This is the first time I’ve seen this place like this, right, under water. So well, to me so, I say they should [keep] an eye on this place ya soh and try lift it up higher. That’s it, lift it up higher, because, you know, it looks very bad. So ih must got wahn way to fix, right. All weh dehn need fu do da lift it up higher.”
Raising the street, however, would create another problem. The displaced water would find its way into other low-lying areas, including the homes of families that are already inundated. Flooding is a perennial issue in this community and despite the development that has taken place here, that issue has never been addressed.
Denar Westby
Denar Westby, Resident, Belama Phase 4
“My house is flooded with water and almost wet my stuff in there and lotta mess in the house [because of] the water.”
Like many other properties in this neighborhood, Denar Westby’s home is waterlogged. Along with a significant rise in water level has come unwanted guests, forcing Westby and his wife to evacuate and seek refuge elsewhere. Crocodiles are showing up in all sizes.
Isani Cayetano
“You’re packing up what you have here to go to the north, at least for a couple days until the water goes down?”
Denar Westby
“Yes sir, I am going outside of my house until the water slows down and that’s all.”
Isani Cayetano
“How long have you been living in this area?”
Denar Westby
“Seven years. Seven years.”
Isani Cayetano
“Is this the worst that it has gotten?”
Denar Westby
“No, about three years ago, we mi have wahn next flooding similar like this, more higher. A little bit higher, but we are still living the same thing because dehn noh clean the culverts and that need fu clean, mek di water flow pan di side fu mek dis thing stop di happen.”
With additional rainfall expected later this week, the existing situation will only become exacerbated. An appeal is being made to Area Representative Francis Fonseca to see what can be done to assist residents who have found themselves desolate.
Ernesto Herrera
“The people weh live here they have a hard time to come out, you know. The only thing is that the city bus pass over yeah too. So the only way to come from this place, right. Because walking, I noh think you can make it walking.”
Isani Cayetano
“Would there be any appeal from you to anybody in authority who could help to resolve this situation going forward?”
Ernesto Herrera
“Well the only way to help the situation is the manager, the one in charge of this place. That’s the only person that could take the interest of fixing this place here. That’s the only thing that I can say.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.
