The Government of Jamaica has activated a $200 million national drain-cleaning programme spanning parishes from eastern Jamaica to St. Elizabeth, as part of its disaster-preparedness response to the potential impact of Tropical Storm Melissa.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and  Infrastructure Development with responsibility for Works, Hon. Robert Nesta Morgan, announced that the initiative forms part of the Government’s pre-impact mitigation strategy to reduce flooding and safeguard lives and property.

The works are being coordinated through the National Works Agency (NWA) and will focus on the cleaning of major and secondary drains, culverts, and gullies in flood-prone communities.

“The Prime Minister has directed that critical drains be cleared ahead of the storm’s possible landfall,” Minister Morgan stated. “This is part of our disaster-preparedness template, to ensure that our infrastructure can withstand the increased rainfall and runoff expected across the island.”

The drain-cleaning activities began earlier this week and will continue across several constituencies in Portland, St. Thomas, St. Mary, St. Andrew, St. Catherine, Clarendon, Manchester, and St. Elizabeth, where the heaviest rainfall and wind impact are projected.

Minister Morgan noted that the programme complements broader resilience works being implemented under the SPARK and CAPEX programmes, both aimed at strengthening Jamaica’s road and drainage infrastructure.

“Our teams are on the ground islandwide. We are working in close partnership with Members of Parliament and contractors, to move quickly before the weather deteriorates,” he added.

The Government continues to urge citizens to take all necessary precautions and to remain alert to official advisories from the Meteorological Service of Jamaica and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM).

As the island prepares for the possible impacts of Tropical Storm Melissa, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development, Hon. Robert Nesta Morgan, says the National Works Agency has been assessing several vulnerable areas across the island.

Speaking today (Wednesday October 22, 2025) during a Special Press Briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister, on the preparations for the approach of the Tropical Storm, Minister Morgan said a number of areas had been assessed including McGregor Gully/Burgher Gully.

“We visited McGregor Gully along with ODPEM and representatives of other agencies and we are now using sandbags to  assist where there may be the chance of flooding’, the Minister noted.

Other vulnerable areas being assessed are the Shoemaker Gully in the vicinity of Gem Road and the Sandy Gully (from Manor Park to Seaview Gardens) where work has begun in the vicinity of the Spanish Town Road.

“The challenge with the Sandy Gully is very peculiar. The Sandy Gully is the main drain of Kingston and over the years a lot of silt has developed. The Prime Minister announced in his March budget presentation that significant effort will be made to do repair work and cleaning of the gully, to the tune of several billion dollars. That’s a capital expenditure that requires a particular process which does take some time” the Minister explained.

In the interim, he added the Government continues to monitor several sections of the Sandy Gully and its tributaries, to see where the vulnerabilities exist, to ensure that in case of an event, quick action can be taken to prevent a disaster.

He added however, that the challenge that the Government is increasingly facing, is with persons who live on gully banks who are vulnerable during rain events.

“It is something that the Government has been looking at, and we’re taking very seriously as not only is there a risk to property, but there is also a significant risk to life and also a risk to persons who may seek to assist these persons if a disaster takes place”, he noted.

Minister Morgan added that several low-lying and vulnerable areas are also being monitored including Southern Clarendon, Southern St. Elizabeth, Southern Manchester and East Rural St. Andrew (Wickie Wackie in Harbour View).

He further noted that the NWA has engaged with several contractors across the island, who have been encouraged to stockpile materials including river shingle that will be essential to the provision of access to critical corridors which may be damaged or destroyed during a rain event.

Noting that the Government has a good template by which to execute disaster management, Minister Morgan pointed to the significant work that was done during and after Beryl, to ensure that the country was able to recover stronger.

He pointed out that the National Works Agency and the Government have executed  significant projects, which are assisting in the management of disasters such as the:

• Southern Coast Highway Improvement Project (SCHIP);
• Montego Bay Perimeter Road and;
• Shared Prosperity through Accelerated Improvement to Our Road Network (SPARK) Programme, that have resulted in significantly improved drainage.

Minister Morgan noted that the reality is, if rain events occur, there will be flooding. However, he said the National Works Agency has a protocol to deal with these issues. He assured the public that while there may be challenges, the Government stands ready to provide assistance where necessary.