When heavy rains hit, the city’s main commercial hubs along Regent Street is overwhelmed in about ten minutes, resulting in disruptions for commuters, businesses, and shoppers.
The pavements along the western end of Regent Street were submerged yesterday in flood waters, in some instances at a height of one foot. Layers of garbage were floating around and piles of it were stuck in drains along main of the central streets- King, Wellington, Camp and parallel along Robb and Charlotte—which were also submerged at certain sections.
When it rains, a walk along the densely occupied streets prove to be quite a challenge, in fact, a hassle as many would have
experienced yesterday. Commuters are forced to walk on the road in the path way of oncoming traffic to avoid getting wet or coming into contact with the contaminated flood waters.
Many persons took several detours since there was no clear, dry path along some of the streets. Also, street vendors who usually line the pavements packed their stalls up and went home. Some items which could not be easily moved were covered in plastic.
Stabroek News spoke with a number of business owners who wished not to be identified, less they face victimization by City Hall. The majority all made the same cry of their revenue being severely affected by the poor drainage.
A few referred to the situation as “blight to business” because customers are readily turned away at the first sit of murky flood water. They said after 10 minutes of heavy or persistent rainfall, it floods, submerging the entrance to their stores all along the pavements.
Each of the store owners and their employees, who chimed in, said that they have to keep planks and pallets in stock to facilitate anyone wishing to brave the unhygienic conditions to enter their stores.
Several of those interviewed admitted that it is dangerous to have people walk on planks propped up by wood, tyres or other pieces of materials given that they are makeshift and unstable. One employee recalled an incident last year when a child slipped and fell into the water in front of the store where he works. This, he said, was shameful and he personally believes that the woman would not visit the store again because of that experience.
The larger establishments like Bhena’s Footwear, Royal Jewel House, Sachi’s Variety Store and Price Rite Variety Store have made the necessary adjustments. Some have built concrete barricades at their entrance, raised a portion of the pavement and even raised sections of their store.
Store owners recalled Christmas of 2013 when they lost goods because of the level of rainfall experienced then, but many are citing the poor drainage system as a major reason for their flood woes.
Some individuals also opine that road construction and construction of new buildings inclusive of the City Mall, the Regent Multiplex Mall, the new GuyOil Gas Station and other large premises along Regent Street caused the systematic blockage of the drains, which are filled with sand and other materials, thus preventing the free flow of water.
They also believe that people and businesses alike have the bad habit of littering the roadsides, which inevitably get washed into the drains and thus further clog the drainage system. In addition to this, they attribute blame to the City Hall for its continued failure to tackle the situation, which has been plaguing them for years.
A street vendor Yonette Evans, who sells haversacks, clothes and other general items, said that no business is done when it rains.
The business is her livelihood and she asked what would happen to her if it rained every day for a month. She then implored the authority to address the drainage issue.
A woman dressed in business apparel walking along Robb Street said that it’s a hassle to walk to and from work when it rains, and that it becomes even more frustrating when it floods.
