Eight days of high tides began on Monday and several vulnerable areas across the country’s coastline are under surveillance.
The period is expected to continue until August 25, and according to predictions August 21 is likely to experience the highest tide at 3.31 meters early in the morning and 3.75 meters in the afternoon. The areas being monitored include Wakenaam, Leguan and Salem in Region Three; Belladrum/Hope and Plantation Brahn in Region Five; Line Path and No.78 Village in Region Six and Zorg and Henrietta in Essequibo, a Government Informa-tion Agency (GINA) report said Monday.
The Chief Sea and River Defence Officer Agnes Dalrymple is quoted by GINA as saying that Region Four is under control since mud dams were constructed. She said also that works are ongoing in other Regions including Salem and Belladrum/Hope which are under watch.
Belladrum/Foulis and Plantation Brahn had experienced some overtopping last month due to high tides, but there had not been reports of persons being affected, GINA said. The water in those areas had overflowed into the façade canal used by the Mahaica/Mahaicony and Abary Development Authority (MMA/ ADA) to drain sluices during low tides.
Previously a few lower East Coast Demerara areas had been affected by overtopping. Among the areas were Better Hope, Vryheid’s Lust and Montrose, but interventions have since been made to strengthen the sea defences on that section of the coast.
