ST THOMAS, Jamaica – Residents of the small district of Barking Lodge in St Thomas reacted with amazement on Friday as water reportedly flowed in a long-dry river in the community for the first time in decades.

Heavy rains in the southeastern Jamaica parish saw several roads become impassable and commuters left stranded.

Residents of Barking Lodge, which is located a few miles from Port Morant, told Observer Online that water flowed in the Pass River for the first time in some 30 years, catching motorists off guard and overflowing its banks onto the roadway and into homes nearby.

It reportedly resulted in motorists having to wait several hours for the water to recede.

A video shared with Observer Online shows flooding in the community, several vehicles apparently stranded due to the unexpected weather development, and curious onlookers staring at the flowing water.

A trough across Jamaica has resulted in increased rainfall in sections of the island over the past several days.

Another trough is projected to enter the central Caribbean by Tuesday, with increased rainfall likely mainly across northeastern parishes, the Meteorological Service of Jamaica said on Saturday.