High tide rips away Wakenaam sea defence, San Souci flooded

Dozens of residents of San Souci, Wakenaam and surrounding villages are counting their losses after a high tide breached a temporary defence on the Essequibo River Island yesterday. According to information reaching Stabroek News, early yesterday morning around 49 homes were inundated, affecting more than 150 residents. Information Officer of Region Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands), Ganesh Mahipaul, confirmed to Stabroek News yesterday afternoon that the high tide had battered the temporary river defence that was constructed just offer a week ago. “The high tide would’ve caused some overtopping first and would’ve washed away some of the sand and then the breach occurred,” he said. Mahipaul explained that overtopping was occurring in the village early last week, but residents did not raise an alarm since they knew that a stronger river defence system was to be constructed shortly after.

Houses near Diamond well explosion also suffered serious damage

With clean-up works having commenced in preparation for the recapping of an illegal Diamond Housing Scheme well which caused an eruption of mud, water and suspected methane gas on Thursday, other residents who suffered damage to their homes are now left to fend for themselves. Recapping of the well, which is expected to start today, can take as long as three weeks. Officials have assured that the release of gas has been limited to the property, removing the risk of exposure to residents in the surrounding area. However, even with the recapping of the well and the cleanup that is taking place, neighbours whose houses sustained damage from the eruption, have been left to take care of their own repairs. Gorakh’s house is said to have been completely destroyed by the suspected natural gas explosion.