Continual rainfall in Waramuri, in Region One, has resulted in the flooding of some 1700 feet of road, cutting off vehicular access to the community.
Villager Colin De La Cruz yesterday told Sunday Stabroek the flooding has been reoccurring over the past five years and despite efforts by the regional authorities to put systems in place, there has been no improvement.
De la Cruz added that revetments works had started but when the rains began about three weeks ago, the area started to flood and the water has covered the revetment that was installed.
According to De La Cruz, the section of road lies in a swampy area, making it prone for flooding during the rainy season.
With the road flooded, he went on say, the regional engineers should reexamine their design since the water level is higher than the revetment.
The resident pointed out that during a meeting between the village council and regional engineer, they had made their concerns known.
He said the infrastructure should have been designed to be at least 2 feet higher as flood waters are known to be close to 8 feet high on some occasions.
He posted photographs on Facebook on Friday night showing some students walking in waist-high water to get home.
When the road is flooded not only is it difficult for students to attend school, De La Cruz explained, but persons also have to travel by boat to the Kumaka district to engage in commercial activities.
He lamented that travel by boat is longer and takes a toll on persons seeking medical attention.
“Yesterday someone from the village who was really sick had to go to the hospital by boat. They had to lift the person down to the landing and then place them in a boat and take them to the hospital. That takes longer. With the road it’s an easier travel and faster, so we need them to fix the road,” the villager said.
He added that on some occasions persons will use their canoes to transport travellers between the flooded sections but sometimes it is overwhelming for the operator due to the amount of persons travelling.
Efforts to contact the Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley for comment proved futile.
