The Civil Defence Com-mission (CDC) and the Region One Regional Democratic Council (RDC) are continuing to closely monitor Almond Beach, which has suffered severe flooding and erosion, while acting Minister of State Raphael Trotman says a team has been dispatched to assess the situation.
In a brief comment, Trotman said the team was dispatched yesterday and the government is waiting on a report before making any firm decision on the way forward.
Carlton Semple, Co-ordinator of Emergency Services at the CDC, told Stabroek News on Monday that the agency is monitoring the situation although the RDC has everything under control.
He explained that the CDC is keeping in constant contact with the region to find out about the new developments taking place.
Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley said on Monday that based on the reports he has received, the water level has dropped and residents are trying to return to normal.
However, he said that the erosion is taking place rapidly and the RDC is currently engaged in discussion to map out a plan to relocate around 20 residents to higher ground and governmental offices. “The region is looking on a long term and when we move them we don’t want to take them away from what they are accustomed to,” Ashley disclosed.
According to Ashley, the region has also dispatched medical supplies to the area to tackle any potential outbreak of diseases.
The region has also allocated emergency fuel for the residents in case the need arises for them to be evacuated.
On Friday last, the Barima/Waini community began to experience flash flooding as a result of strong waves. On Friday, the water level was up to waist height but on Saturday, the water level had reduced significantly. When the regional team visited, the water level was at knee height.
“They are currently experiencing abnormal rise in tides and abnormal waves which is why they are flooded. This community is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. Also from what we understand it is a natural cycle taking place. Every 25 to 30 years the beach changes. It erodes and builds somewhere else, so it looks as if that is happening here,” Ashley had explained.
Due to the erosion, he said approximately 900 coconut trees were lost. The coconut trees are a part of the community’s livelihood. The community is situated close to the famous Shell Beach.
