MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Mario Mitchell, Councillor for the Bellefield Division in Manchester, has issued a stern warning to the public to avoid the rising groundwater along the Content main road in Manchester. The situation has escalated to dangerous levels, with a truck driver narrowly avoiding a potential disaster on Thursday morning. The vehicle was halted by sandbags, preventing it from plunging into the water. Mitchell emphasized that despite barriers being placed at the roundabout, individuals continue to remove them, drawn by the allure of the rising water for photography and leisure activities.
The rising water has not only disrupted daily life but has also become a peculiar attraction for onlookers. Mitchell expressed grave concerns over public health, stating that the water is heavily contaminated. He personally assisted in evacuating residents from the affected area, highlighting the unprecedented nature of the flooding. The presence of a sinkhole and a saturated aquifer has exacerbated the situation, making it difficult to divert the water effectively.
Mitchell also criticized the lack of a concrete plan from the National Works Agency (NWA) to address the crisis. He noted that the water is spreading to other areas, including Porus and Evergreen, and has already blocked the Content main road. The absence of an alternative route has left residents in a state of uncertainty. Mitchell attributed the flooding to decades of bauxite mining, which has altered the region’s landscape and created a problem that remains unresolved.
In a plea to the public, Mitchell urged individuals to avoid contact with the water, citing the presence of graves, old pits, and latrines that have contaminated it. Despite its visually appealing green hue, tests have confirmed significant contamination levels. Mitchell called for immediate action and a coordinated response to mitigate the crisis and protect the community.