A significant discrepancy has emerged between official government assessments and ground-level observations regarding the massive landslide that struck Pichelin, Dominica, last week. While Public Works Minister Rayburn Blackmore asserts there is “no immediate threat to life and property,” local resident Mervin Bellot, who witnessed the catastrophic event firsthand, presents a starkly different perspective.
Bellot, whose residence neighbors the slide zone, described awakening to seismic tremors before observing an enormous portion of mountainside collapse into the riverbed. The resulting debris formed a natural dam approximately 60 feet high, currently restraining a substantial volume of water. Bellot expressed grave concerns about the structure’s stability, particularly with ongoing rainfall conditions. “The soil composition remains unstable, water levels continue rising, and persistent precipitation could trigger complete structural failure,” he stated.
The local resident reported immediately alerting community members and facilitating evacuations following the incident. While some households have voluntarily relocated, Bellot emphasizes the necessity for more comprehensive protective measures. He further criticized governmental authorities for permitting contractors to deposit materials into the river, alleging this practice has exacerbated the situation by constricting natural water flow pathways.
Contrary to official monitoring reports indicating controlled conditions, Bellot maintains the situation demands urgent intervention. He advocates for immediate engineering solutions to establish controlled water release mechanisms and cessation of all river dumping activities. “Government representatives must exercise extreme caution in their risk evaluations,” Bellot cautioned. “Catastrophic dam failure would impact not only Pichelin village but also transportation infrastructure and coastal communities throughout the southern region.
Minister Blackmore confirmed during a Monday radio interview that clearance operations are scheduled to commence imminently, utilizing anticipated favorable weather conditions through Tuesday. Government priorities reportedly focus on maintaining river channel integrity and implementing comprehensive mitigation protocols to ensure downstream community safety.