The authorities are continuing to monitor the effects of spring tides which began rolling in on Tuesday, as water overtopped several sections of the seawall situated aback villages along the East Coast of Demerara yesterday for a second day.
- This canal behind Better Hope, East Coast Demerara was cleaned by an excavator belonging to the Public Works Ministry on Tuesday night.
Stabroek News visited the affected areas along the East Coast yesterday, including the seawall structure behind the villages of Ogle, Sparendaam, Better Hope and Montrose.
Water pounded the sea defences in the areas but the situation was under control.
Around 11:30 am yesterday, residents of Better Hope told Stabroek News that they were on the alert for any possible flooding the spring tide might cause. Drains and canals situated close to the seawall behind the village were cleaned by an excavator belonging to the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) on Tuesday evening. Several fishermen stationed at a fish port behind Better Hope told Stabroek News that they were taking no chances, some persons stating that they were prepared for any eventuality.
- Traffic at the junction of the East Coast of Demerara Highway and UG Road was held up briefly yesterday as water accumulated along that section of the roadway.
Public Works Minister, Robeson Benn and a team from the Public Works Ministry assessed the situation along the ECD yesterday as the high tide peaked at 2:45 pm. The team made several stops along the sea-wall including at the sea defence structure close to the junction of the main ECD highway and UG road. The team then moved up to the koker at the back of Ogle where it made several inspections.
At Ogle, water pounded the sea defence for close to two hours yesterday afternoon as passers- by stopped to get a glimpse of the situation. The tide subsided around 5pm yesterday.
- A man walks along the seawall behind Better Hope, East Coast Demerara as water overtops.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), the spring tide, which will be active until January 6, 2010, is being monitored, with vulnerable areas along the coast being closely watched. An official at the Agriculture Ministry told Stabroek News yesterday that the agency is working along with the relevant agencies, including the NDIA and the Sea Defence Unit. He said that there were no reports of flooding or overtopping along the Coastland other than what occurred along the ECD yesterday. Meantime, the MoA hotline numbers remain open, the official noted.
Officials at the Timehri Met Office told Stabroek News yesterday that the high tide over the next few days is expected to be above normal. Today, the high tide is expected at 3:51 am and at 3:37 pm, with the height of the tide at the former being 2.82 m and the latter 3.14 m.
Over the next few days the tide is expected to be at its highest on Saturday, when it is expected to reach 3.26 m.