A temporary road in the North Rupununi has become impassable due to a flash flood and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) has advised persons travelling to Region Nine to make use of the recently commissioned road, which runs through Nappi.
“The (temporary) road erected on the southern end of the existing Manari Bridge has become impassable due to a flash flood. Motorists and pedestrians are kindly asked to detour through Nappi,” the statement read. It was added that the Hinterland Department within the Ministry stated that the Manari Bridge is almost completed as the contractor is casting the decking on the bridge. However, due to the restrictions in place as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the contractor has experienced several delays.
The release further stated that in spite of the restrictions, the contractor is putting all measures in place to fast- track the completion of the bridge and repair the damaged road.
“The Ministry is therefore, pleading with the public to detour through Nappi as we seek to remedy the impassable (temporary road) assiduously for the travelling public. Motorists and pedestrians are kindly asked to exercise caution and observe all safety measures,” the release concluded.
The Regional Executive Officer (REO) of the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Region Carl Parker confirmed that the road was washed away on Tuesday morning after a night of heavy rainfall. He added that he inspected the road on Tuesday afternoon and discovered a 15-foot-wide depression in the now impassable bypass.
Parker opined that considering it is the start of the rainy season in the Rupununi, it might be a while before the road is repaired. However the contractor assured him that once the water recedes completely, it will be repaired.
Although vehicular traffic has been diverted to the recently commissioned Nappi road, Parker says that road is also under pressure and as such would advise that only small vehicles traverse the road.
“There is a new road that the government the would’ve built last year linking the communities along the mountain foot and those communities include Hiawa, Nappi and Parishara Kaicumbay, Quatata and Kwaimatta and through Toka Village. That road too is under stress because of the volume of water coming down from the highlands. The water was seen overflowing the road in certain sections so even that road is under stress,” the REO iterated.
In addition, he stated that the Toshaos of Nappi, Hiawa and Parashara had a meeting with him yesterday regarding the condition of the road.
He stated that he advised them to lock the gates erected at the southernmost end of the road and only allow light vehicular traffic until the Region figures out a way to deal with the situation.
Parker noted that the regional engineer went out yesterday to conduct a damage assessment on both roads and a decision on how to proceed will be made once the report is available.
“We are still waiting for a report but the road is under stress so we are hoping that the water recede fast,” he stated.
Parker expressed the hope that this will be the only flash flood before noting that there was a similar situation in the South Rupununi about two weeks but the water receded quickly the following day.
He added that even Lethem was affected by the heavy rains. Parker stated that the Tabatinga Creek overflowed Tuesday morning but as soon as the rains eased, the water receded. No one was affected.
