Barbados Meteorological Services issues flash-flood watch; environmental concerns on rise

The Barbados Meteorological Services imposed a flash-flood watch in the central, eastern, and northeastern districts of Barbados. The watch was brought into effect on 27th March at 12:30 pm.

The flood watch was implemented as flood-like conditions were expected in the low-lying areas of Barbados, due to the expected high rainfall in the central, eastern, and north-eastern parts of the country.

Rainfall accumulations of 20.0 to 50.0mm are expected in the regions near St Andrew, St Joseph, St Thomas, St John and St George. The accumulation ranges falling in the criteria of light and heavy showers are expected in the central, eastern and northeastern districts of the country.

The excessive downpour condition poses the threat of flooding in the low-lying areas. The conditions were predicted to continue throughout the afternoon improving towards the night.

Due to such conditions, the Barbados Meteorological Services issued a flash-flood watch notice on their social media handles to ensure the warning reaches everyone and they can take necessary precautions.

The meteorological survey, which operates as a self-contained department within the Ministry of Home Affairs and Information, cautioned residents and visitors regarding the possible elevation of water levels up to the red level mark in water bodies.

A flash-flood is a condition in which the region receives a high amount of rainfall within a very short period of time resulting in possible floods.

The Department of Emergency Management has issued an advisory on the situation. Public has been advised to monitor Barbados Meteorological Service, Department of Emergency Management and Barbados Government Information Service websites and social media handles regularly to keep themselves updated with information of changing weather conditions.

People are also advised to keep in touch with local media channels to keep themselves updated.

Earlier, Dr Cedric Van Meerback, a climatologist at the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology, cautioned people of the Caribbean as the weather is expected to be even more extreme than that of 2023. He predicted extreme rainfall, severe hurricanes and tropical cyclones due to the rising temperatures.

With such scenarios in question, it is better for Caribbean citizens to take appropriate measures and simultaneously adopt methods for environmental protection and conservation.