WILLEMSTAD - Drone footage from the Ministry of Health, Environment, and Nature reveals that the dams in Bándabou did their job. The excess water on roads and various locations was the result of so-called flash floods, occurring when water falls excessively in a short period on a relatively dry surface. 

Social media posts suggested that the dam had broken in various places. However, after inspection, it can be confirmed that this is not the case. The dams function in such a way that when one dam fills up, the water flows through an outlet to a lower-lying dam or to the sea. 

But during heavy rainfall, the dam can quickly fill up and discharge water rapidly through the outlet, giving the impression that the dam has broken, when it has not. "One must also consider that when water falls excessively on a dry surface, it moves almost as quickly as on concrete or asphalt until the surface begins to absorb the water," the ministry stated. 

The same applies to the area of Hòfi Mango. Historically, Hòfi Mango is situated on the route where water passes when the Kabayé dam fills up and discharges water through the outlet. After Hòfi Mango, the water flows to the lagoon behind the beach of Sta. Cruz, and when it fills up, it continues its path to the sea. 

During normal rainfall, the Kabayé dam does not easily fill up, and if it does, only a small stream of water passes through Hòfi Mango. But during heavy rainfall, the water utilizes the maximum space along its route to the sea. Additionally, much more water came from the surrounding hills of Hòfi Mango, resulting in a large stream of water flowing through the garden.