BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, OCTOBER 11TH 2005 (CUOPM) - Nearly 11 inches of rain has been recorded for the month of October at the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport.
Met officials said rainfall recorded as of 8 A.M. Tuesday for this month is 10.52 inches.
Tuesday morning Director of Public Works Mr. Errol Webster when contacted Tuesday morning was out in the field continuing what he said was an assessment of damage caused by the heavy and persistent rainfall.
"My preliminary evaluation to date indicate minor to moderate damage in some areas. We are now inspecting retaining walls around the island as well as possible damage to the railway system," said Webster by cellphone.
Mr. Webster said a full report will be presented to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Works by the end of the week.
St. Kitts, like several islands in the Leewards and Windwards, has been experiencing inclement weather for the past weeks.
Lightening over the weekend struck a telecommunication's tower at Brimstone Hill knocking out ZIZ's 96.9 FM transmitter and Cable & Wireless' Cellular Site.
Director of Agriculture, Dr. Jerome Thomas told the Communications Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister, that while there has been no official reports of damage to food crops, there would be slight erosion of feeder roads.
"There would be minimal damage at this time and there would be little preparation of land for planting at this time," said Dr. Thomas.
Heavy equipment operators were out in force again on the weekend and up to Tuesday morning removing mud and debris deposited on the island's main roads and streets as a result of heavy rains, which were accompanied by heavy lightening and thunder.
St. Kitts last year recorded 19.39 inches of rain in October 2004, which was more than three times the October annual average of 6.03 inches while rainfall for November 2004 was 16.38 inches compared with the November annual average of 6.85 inches.
