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FLASH FLOODING hit some of the lowest-lying areas of the Penal/Debe municipality on November 20, stranding dozens of motorists. Having received an estimated 120 per cent increase in funding for fiscal 2026, the Penal Debe Regional Corporation (PDRC) chairman says detailed mitigation works for the perennial issue are on the table for the upcoming dry season.

Speaking with Newsday at his municipal corporation's Debe office on November 20, Gowtam Maharaj said extensive watercourse clearing work initiated by the new administration earlier this year has been successful in averting major flooding incidents in the municipality affecting households, but admits much more needs to be done.

"There are a number of areas that have not been completed. There are some areas that there are bottlenecks; either encroachment; either fallen trees; either bridges that need addressing; or like I explained, let's say there is an old flood gate where the concrete structure is there. So in our second pass, we would be addressing those matters."