Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn visited Montrose, East Coast Demerara to inspect the damage done following the overtopping of the sea wall as a result of gusting winds during Wednesday’s high tide.
According to a GINA release, water began flowing over the wall at about 6 pm and within 15 minutes, yards were flooded. The flood lasted for about an hour and led to inundated yards and damage to household furnishings on the lower flat of the buildings. Meanwhile, residents reported that five fishing boats anchored on the foreshore were completely destroyed as a result of the waves hitting them into the sea defence.
Benn said that that there needed to be a better drainage system to remove the water and stated that the Ministry is looking at ways to reduce the incidence of overtopping in the affected areas. He highlighted that during the high tides earlier this year the Ministry had undertaken to clear the drainage systems and remove illegal constructions that were blocking the drainage system inhibiting the flow of the water.
Residents in Montrose, Mon Repos and Ogle/Turkeyen on the East Bank were affected as well as some in Sea Spring and Leonora on the West Coast of Demerara.
