A team of national and regional officials have engaged community groups in Linden to de-silt clogged drains and canals at Wismar with the hope of arresting flooding and erosion in several areas.
The decision was taken on Tuesday by CEO of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority Lionel Wordsworth, Regional Chairman Mortimer Mingoand Regional Executive Officer Henry Rodney.
Heavy rainfall on Monday resulted in the flooding of homes and yards in several areas in Linden especially at Wismar and had caused a number of drains to become silted. The flooding also caused erosion in other parts. According to Mingo, the team made an on-the-spot decision to engage a number of community groups to clear the Wakanabo Creek at Victory Valley, the canals in Waterlilly Road/Poker Street and the main drains in the Silvertown area. “Based on the assessment done on-the-spot it was observed that it was as a result of the siltation of those drains that cause the flooding and so we immediately summoned a few groups to action to have them cleared,” he said. At the time of the assessment all the water had receded from homes and off the land but damage was evident.
The threatening erosion at Half Mile is also being addressed. The Regional Chairman said roads and drainage works being done in the area are executed by the region.
He noted that works were brought to an abrupt halt because of the extensive rainfall on Monday. Immediately after the rains the contractors were back on the job to arrest the erosion. Mingo explained that because the area sits on a slope, water running off the hills washed away the sand where the area was dug up because of the road works. Other areas where erosion has occurred are also being addressed.
