Francine Black, Staff Reporter

Some residents whose homes were sliding down the hillside in Kintyre, St Andrew, have received a temporary break from their woes as the land has stabilised.

According to a resident, the problem has stopped since the rains have subsided. "Well what happened is that the rain has ceased and everything dry up," Noel Richards, a resident from the community said.

Richards, a resident of Camp View Avenue, is grateful as last year, when the problem began, his house was at risk. A few days after Hurricane Dean, his driveway began crumbling and later the rest of his home.

Following the heavy rains associated with the storm, residents reportedly went to sleep one night and woke up to find their property slipping away.

On a visit last year to the community, THE STAR observed the damage to Richards' home. Floor tiles were either cracked or loosened and walls have burst, revealing ever-widening gaps. Even doors and windows in the house are difficult to close or open because of the problem.

The pit at the back of his house is also threatened as the land around it is sinking away.

Other residents in that area also suffered serious damage as their homes were sliding down the hillside community and, in some cases, were breaking up.

However, Richards said, in light of the concerns he is seeking safer ground. He said the National Water Commission has also visited and temporarily fixed to some pipes that had been affected by the shifting infrastructure in the community. They have also sought to repair the road by using shingle to fill in the collapsed section so vehicles can now drive through the community.