Rain, rain go away

Umbrellas of all colours and shapes decorated the streets of Roseau today as persistent rain drenched the streets.

Water in the Roseau River turned chocolate brown and rushed to the Caribbean Sea in noticeably greater volumes and velocity.

The persistent rain has influenced the Dominica Meteorological Service to issue a flash flood warning until six this evening.

"Unstable conditions reinforced by moisture convergence have been generating light to moderate and isolated heavy showers across Dominica since Friday evening. Radar imagery indicated that pockets of heavy showers affected mainly the southern portion of Dominica throughout Friday night into Saturday morning," the met service said.

It added: "The forecast is for cloudy conditions with periods of showers which could be heavy at times and possible isolated thunderstorms to continue to affect Dominica throughout today and Sunday. Rainfall projection is for amounts of up to 2 inches and higher amounts in elevated areas. Flash flooding is therefore possible".

The met office said it had received reports of rising waters in some parts of Dominica.

"Silted and or blocked water-ways are likely to promote flooding and landslides," the met office warned.

"Persons in communities that are prone flooding, landslide and falling rocks should be very vigilant and take all precautionary measures to protect life and property. Be ready to move to higher ground. Motorists and pedestrian should not attempt to cross flooded roadways," the report stated.

Today's rain has caused the postponement of the Dominica Labour Party's bye-election rally scheduled for Soufriere on Sunday.

"The campaign committee to elect Ms. Denise Charles regrets to inform you that due to poor weather conditions, the rally scheduled for Sunday, May 29th in Soufriere, has had to be postponed until next Sunday, June 5th," a DLP statement said.