As COP28 launches a Loss and Damage Fund, devastating rains highlight Caribbean islands’ increasing vulnerability to climate change impacts

Excerpt and Photo from globalvoices.org

Very close to the end of the Atlantic hurricane season, a disturbance that was eventually named Potential Tropical Cyclone Twenty-Two decided to move from an area just south of Jamaica and head north-west. This was bad news for the island — and subsequently, the Dominican Republic — which lay directly in its path. Despite the fact that there was no wind and the system did not officially qualify as a Tropical Storm, the destruction (including the loss of 21 lives in the DR), was significant. The Spanish-speaking Caribbean nation has experienced three major flooding episodes since June, all with record levels of rainfall.

As the system moved across Jamaica on November 16 and 17, the eastern side of the island suffered the most. There were stories of citizens negotiating crocodile-infested floodwaters; travellers stranded overnight in rural areas; a massive landslidein an upscale hillside area near Kingston, besides other locations; overflowing rivers and gullies; and severely damaged roads. Thankfully, there were no reported casualties, although many stories were told, and in true Jamaican style, amusing comments were shared on social media.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness — who appeared satisfied that infrastructure had stood up fairly well — mentioned in Parliament that road repairs would amount to JMD 409 million (approximately USD 2.63 million).