Episodes of flooding after heavy rain are not uncommon here nor, for that matter, in many other countries.

Each occurrence over the years comes with great distress, pain, and inconvenience for those affected, accompanied by howls of protest about State neglect in relation to maintenance of infrastructure and, of course, declarations of irresponsible environmental and waste management practices by the populace.

To their credit, successive Governments have implemented flood mitigation measures and we have no doubt about their sincerity to protect the country from the effects of nature’s fury.

But, as we have pointed out ad nauseam in this space, there’s no escaping the rain and, given Jamaica’s geographic location, we are susceptible to tropical cyclones, particularly at this time of year.

So far this year we have been spared, and the damage from heavy rain in various sections of the island over the past few weeks has been minuscule, compared to previous times.

Last Friday it was the Corporate Area’s turn to experience torrential rain that led to flooding; damage to some homes, businesses, and property; as well as late-evening traffic gridlock.

In response to Friday’s events, Kingston Mayor Andrew Swaby issued a stern warning to residents to stop illegal construction along gullies. Not only does such construction endanger lives, it compromises critical public infrastructure, the mayor said on Monday, while addressing a special sitting of the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) Council to swear in newly elected members.

He urged both residents and councillors to help prevent further disasters and directed blame at illegal construction along gully banks as a key factor that exacerbates flooding.

“As representatives we must play a stronger role in preventing and reporting unsafe construction and protecting public infrastructure,” the mayor said before expressing shock at the sight of a building constructed across a gully.

The question that Mayor Swaby needs to answer is why illegally constructed buildings have not been demolished.

That query, we suspect, would be relevant to other municipalities as we often see buildings that obviously breach construction codes.

Mayor Swaby has said that the KSAMC will be reviewing building practices, especially as they relate to permeability and development, allowing more water to be absorbed naturally in the soil. That is a noble objective that deserves public support.

At the same time, local government officials need to play their part in acting to prevent illegal construction, and to take remedial action when it does occur.

Too many people are flouting the law and one cannot be blamed for believing that some of the individuals in authority are benefiting from graft.

Unfortunately, that issue is not big on the agenda for many Jamaicans, as too many people hold the view that breaches of the building codes are just cases of individuals “hustling” for a living.

It’s a short-sighted, flawed perspective which ignores the reality that, in addition to our susceptibility to flooding and hurricanes, Jamaica sits on an earthquake fault.

We must not allow unscrupulous people — interested only in profit and easy money — to compromise our building regulations and standards.