Just one day before the general elections, residents of Lower Barrackpore affected by floods yesterday complained that they have been ignored by past and present administrations.
Yone Rampersad, of Papourie Road, said he has no desire to stain his finger for any political party because he had received no assistance over the years. Heavy rainfall filled up the watercourse gushing water into the roads and marooning residents in their homes.
Rampersad said he awoke around 4.30 am to get ready for work but could not leave his home because it was surrounded by floodwaters. While this is a perennial problem, he said it does not take away from the losses and inconvenience residents experience on each occasion.
He said his brothers helped him to put most of his household items on a height, but his washing machine was damaged. He lives with his ailing mother who had to be taken to the home of one of his brothers.
Rampersad complained that the last time his house was flooded the local government representative promised to assist him, but no help came.
“I not voting on Monday. It eh make no sense I go and vote. I not getting help. If somebody helps me I will help them,” he said.
Another resident, Mohammed Ali, said residents have been experiencing flooding under the present and past governments.
Yesterday’s floods reached about three feet, but Ali said sometimes the water levels can get to waist height.
“We have been going through this for many years and something need to be done about this,” he said.
Ali said the problem is poor drainage.
“Nothing being done about it and that is the reason why we have to take our precautions to get things done to save our life, our family lives and our belongings,” he said.
Ali said he was not concerned about who forms the next government because they will still be in the same position.
Some motorists took a chance to drive through the floods while others used alternative routes.
Contacted for comment, Dr Roodal Moonilal, who is seeking to be re-elected as the MP for the area said the UNC government had done major drainage work while they were in office.
“There was no evidence of mass flooding like today,” he said.