A section of the roadway in Omeally, rural St Catherine, that as been in this condition from 2006 and has left residents worried that the impending rainfall will worsen the situation. - Ricardo Makyn

While the persistent drought has most Jamaicans begging for rain, some residents of Omeally, a communityin St Catherine, are actually thankful for the dry spell and are praying that the rain will stay far away from their community.

This unusual desire is not because the residents have an abundance of water, but because in the past, rain has caused landslides and damaged the roads making certain sections almost impassable.

As residents of the community explained, the area which was once the road is becoming narrower and narrower because of the erosion, and is so bad that graves were being dislodged, exposing the caskets and bodies inside. In fact, some bodies have had to be exhumed and re-buried in other locations.

break-away

"A four years now the situation is like this. Despite persons coming and promising to fix it for the residents, the distress continues especially when the rain falls. In fact since the break-away we worry when it rains,'' said one resident, Clifton Romell.

His views were echoed by shopkeeper Derrick Edwards, who added that he has to become a regular driver for many persons who are afraid to even drive their cars on the narrow strip of road.

"As the thing is right now, we wish it would not rain as those cracks are likely to give way anytime. We might soon be without a road. I am personally worried as the water will continue to erode the surface,'' Edwards said.

He added that the situation gets worse with each shower of rain, leaving the residents of the rural farming community, crossing their fingers in hopes that the rain will stay away.

Another resident told THE STAR, "See, my house is getting closer to the edge each day and there is no help for me and my family." She added, "Even the dead feel disturbed, as them have to relocate two of the bodies before them wash weh.''

Councillor for the area, Michelle Jackson, told THE STAR that after consultation with the National Works Agency (NWA), a special design for the roadway is now being drafted. She said this design will address the problem and all its technicalities.

In the meantime, Chairman of the St Catherine Parish Council Andrew Wheatley said the local authority is aware of the break-away in Omeally District. He, too, mentioned that the NWA had been made aware of the issue.

Efforts to get a comment from a NWA representative were unsuccessful.