Leguan suffers flooding
There was some measure of relief for residents along the East and West Banks of Demerara last evening, as there was no report of the severe overtopping which had led to catastrophic consequences in recent days.
When this newspaper visited several East Bank communities yesterday morning, it observed that the water which had accumulated on the land on Friday evening had run off. And last evening, residents of Craig reported that the water did not rise on the land during the second high tide yesterday.
A similar story was told yesterday evening by Mary Clarke, a resident of Vive la Force on the West Bank of Demerara. The woman said that while the water was rising it had not flooded the community in the way that it had on the three previous evenings.
Abnormally high spring tides had resulted in the flooding of several riverain communities across the country from Wednesday. The water levels peaked on Thursday evening when the second highest high tide ever recorded in the country’s history occurred.
The Ministry of Public Works in collaboration with the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has been trying to bolster the river defences in several areas. Sandbagging of vulnerable areas has been one of the main activities being carried out.
President Bharrat Jagdeo on Friday ordered an immediate assessment of the infrastructural damage caused by the recent overtopping of the Demerara River so as to determine the way forward in assuring its structural integrity. He has also dispatched ministerial and health teams into the affected areas.
Leguan
Meanwhile, residents of Richmond Hill, Leguan and surrounding communities have been affected by flooding owing to spring tides over the last three days which have led to losses and damage to many households.
Speaking to Stabroek News via telephone, a resident who preferred to be unnamed said that the damage suffered by the residents was extensive. She said that the area had been inundated with water up to 4 feet in height because of the tide. One villager is said to have lost all her livestock in the flood, while another’s household furniture was damaged.
She said that while sandbags have been placed at parts which are heavily affected, these are usually washed away when the water rises.
The resident added that while the water recedes in the morning, the place is uncomfortable since residents have to confront their losses and clean their homes.
Meanwhile, there were also reports that residents of Maryville and Success on Leguan also suffered heavy losses due to the floodwaters.
She said that the water had reached high levels in those areas resulting in damage to furniture and electrical appliances.
“I so frustrated now, I worry about when the water will rise again,” she said. Additionally, she disclosed that a mandir which is located near the Richmond Hill Primary School suffered great damage and lost its altars and other religious articles, and sustained damage to its audio system.
“When I saw the water, I got so frustrated… there is nothing you can do; the water is just rushing” the resident added. She expressed concern about the October spring tide which she said may be higher than the ones currently being experienced by residents.
