MP Croes: Hurricane season begins in 3 weeks. What's the outlook for residents around curaçao?
WILLEMSTAD - MP Steven Croes has sent a letter with several questions addressed to Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas in his capacity as Minister of GMN (General Affairs, Public Health, and National Security) regarding the heavy rains and significant damage caused in Bandabou at the end of last week. It is increasingly evident that Curaçao's infrastructure is far from a level capable of protecting citizens, buildings, and homes in incidents of heavy rainfall, let alone a tropical storm or hurricane.
Croes visited the most affected areas by torrential rains on May 4th. He observed extensive devastation where the force of water destroyed structures and caused the death of animals that serve as a vital source of income for many people.
The situation disrupted traffic accessibility and emergency services such as police, ambulances, and firefighters, who were unable to reach certain areas to provide assistance. The 2024 hurricane season is set to begin on the first of June, and it is forecasted to become one of the most active storm periods in Atlantic history.
Among other inquiries, Croes asks Mr. Pisas about the frequency of dam, drainage, sewer, and canal checks around Curaçao and requests a copy of a recent report regarding these inspections. He also questions what the comprehensive plan is, in both the short and long term, to improve Curaçao's infrastructure to prevent future disasters. Furthermore, he asks how the government is addressing climate change and all its potential consequences, such as increased torrential rains or extreme heat and drought.
His focus is also on dams and what alternatives exist if they cannot hold a large amount of water and end up overflowing or breaking, allowing water to penetrate neighborhoods in a devastating manner. In conversations with residents of Bandabou, they expressed a desire to have a Crisis Team stationed in the area.
Croes's acute concern is for the residents of the area, but also for the entire population, considering what happened in different parts of the island in 2010 when the remnants of Tropical Storm Tomas passed several kilometers north of Curaçao, causing widespread damage and death. Hence, the question to Mr. Pisas is how we are truly prepared for such natural phenomena of this magnitude.