– RDC to distribute 200 zinc sheets to affected storm residents

WITH just a few days remaining for the start of the new school year, Region Ten officials gave priority to fixing the damaged roof of the Linden Concert Hall and School (LICHAS) building, which houses students of the Mackenzie High School lower forms. Several sections of the roof were left without zinc sheets after a freak storm passed through Linden last Friday.

Regional Vice Chairman, Elroy Adolph, said that in the Regional Democratic Council’s (RDC) effort to restore the situation to normalcy, the school’s roof was given priority so that students could attend school, unhindered. In addition to LICHAS, other public buildings that were damaged included the Silver Town Community Centre and a communications tower at Blue Berry Hill, Squatting Area.

On the residential damages, it has been determined that about 25 families have been affected in a major way. Adolph said that the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) will be assisting with some amount of zinc sheets and food hampers, which are expected in the region by Thursday. The CDC’s contribution, coupled with what the RDC will acquire from other entities, he averaged, will amount to approximately 200 zinc sheets.

On Monday, the regional representatives continued their field assessment in South Mackenzie and assured residents who suffered severe damages, that they will be assisted. In addition, an emergency meeting was held at the RDC and solutions on the way forward were discussed.

According to the Department of Public Information(DPI), the intense rainfall in Region Ten, from August 23-24. was influenced by the prevailing Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).

The Hydrometeorological office revealed the highest level of rainfall was recorded in the community of Watooka, Linden, which measured 30.77 mm (1.21 inches).   Accompanying the rainfall were high winds across the town. The CDC continues to monitor weather patterns countrywide.