The Sea and River Defence Department is advising the public to take all necessary precautions as the predicted spring tide period has indicated above normal tides until Thursday.
In a public advisory notice issued by the Ministry of Public Works and published in the Guyana Chronicle, the department said the highest tides are expected to be tomorrow at 3.51 pm at a height of 3.12m and on Monday at 4.32pm at a height of 3.15m.
The department considers the following areas to be particularly susceptible to possible flooding as a result of storm surges, which may cause overtopping of sea and river defence structures:
**Onderneeming, Johanna Cecilia/Zorg, Cullen/Perseverance and Huist T’Dieren/Airy Hall – Essequibo Coast
**Zeelandia, Moor Farm and Marionville/Bendorff -Wakenaam Island
**Cane Garden, Blenheim/Endeavour and Success/Thierens – Leguan Island
**Vreed-en-Hoop, Rotterdam/Crane, Anna Catherina/Cornelia Ida, Groenveldt/ Leonora, Uitvlugt/DeWillem, Parika, La Retraite and Salem/Sparta – West Demerara and East Bank Essequibo
**Kitty, Georgetown to Ogle, East Coast Demerara, along the Mahaica River Banks, East Coast Demerara and along Water Street, Georgetown; Abary/Profit, Hope/Washington – West Coast Berbice
**Along the banks of the Berbice and Canje rivers.
In addition to these locations, all persons residing along the banks of rivers and low-lying coastal areas are advised to take all the necessary precautions against possible flooding. Precautions should also be taken by all mariners, including those operating fishing vessels and larger vessels. The department also advises against using the beaches and the foreshore areas for recreational purposes during this time.
For more information the public can contact the department at telephone numbers 619-3552, 662-4927, 654-4226, 654-4227, 644-9263 and 226-0650.