High tide invades coastal Guyana
Several villages across Guyana‘s coastlands remained flooded yesterday as a result of unusually high spring tides. The affected area are reportedly located closest to the beaches, stellings, river and sea defences.
Kaieteur News understands that the flood waters were above 18 inches high. Communities on the West Demerara, including Den Amstel Anna Catherina, Blankenburg, Ituni, Hydronie, in Parika, East Bank Essequibo, were all affected by the rising tide. On the East Coast, Colombia, Prospect, High Dam, Mahaicony and Sheet Anchor, New Amsterdam, are said to be among the areas which were hard hit. This comes hours after the authorities warned residents to brace for the unusually high spring tides. Those who experienced the flooding in the farmland complained of heavy loses. Businessman, Mahadeo Panchu, in a social media post, expressed discontent at the flood defence mechanism. According to Panchu , when the water of the mighty Atlantic swamped the west Mahaicony farmlands around 60 acres of his brother’s plots of rice was inundated by salt water. The businessman revealed that Just weeks ago, a small contractor was paid hundreds of millions to seal the breach at Dantzig, Mahaicony. He noted that it couldn’t withstand the current high tide. “What a waste of money! Why not employ the services of a company with a proven track record in the execution of such sea defence projects?” While villagers have been complaining about the lack of proper sea and river defences, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson told Kaieteur News last evening that the flooding could not be avoided. “There has been no breach as far as I am aware. This is just a result of natural phenomenon. It‘s hurricane season and there have been a lot of tropical storms recently, So what we are experiencing is a tail end of what is happening in the mid –Atlantic”. According to Patterson, Government had issued advisory, warning persons to take the necessary precautions. “We have issued the spring tide warning and persons were advised to take precautions and put the sand bags in place. In addition, the Minister noted the CDC has been on the ground offering assistance to those in need. “The CDC is working to provide assistance where necessary; helping with the sand bags; handing out cleaning supplies which will be used after the flood waters recede.”
(Kaieteur News)