Water emergency declared; soufriere now accessible via choiseul
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Contact: NEMO
Thursday 4 November 2010 – The government of Saint Lucia is declaring a water related emergency as the island’s main water source – the John Compton Dam situated in Roseau, remains inaccessible as a result of a landslide in the area.
While a national disaster has already been declared, the water emergency is a specific announcement in light of the implications for the island, which is under threat of a dwindling water supply. The Ministry of Health has issued strict sanitary protocols for use of water including boiling before drinking, washing of hands before food preparation and consumption and most importantly conservation of current supplies.
The new water-related emergency declaration will allow law enforcement authorities to stop residents from using water for purposes such as watering lawns, washing vehicles, filling pools etc.
Meanwhile the Ministry of Communications & Works has cleared the roadway between Choiseul & Soufriere making it accessible to emergency personnel and the public. Through sheer determination and long hours of constant work, this was achieved to ensure the people of Soufriere are no longer isolated from the rest of the country.
Contact was made with another severely affected area—Fond St. Jacques. With the assistance of the French military, the affected people of Fond St Jacques received water, foodstuff, blankets and other comfort supplies.
The British military have arrived in Soufriere and they will help in several areas including provision of medical assistance, rescue and recovery, engineering, clearing of debris and other obstructions as well as supply of essential provisions; their assistance and supply distribution operations will begin November 3, 2010.
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