Public infrastructure in Linden threatened
A section of the road at Moblissa that caved in
A section of the road at Moblissa that caved in

— by flooding caused by heavy downpour

By Vanessa Braithwaite

THE continuous May-June rains have not only resulted in inundation in several communities across Linden, but have threatened several main roadways, causing erosion under the surface.

The most noticeable of these are on the Linden Soesdyke Highway, where several sections of the road have eroded, as a result of the breaking away of the curb wall from the heavy down pours

One of the many drains overtaken by vegetation being cleared
One of the many drains overtaken by vegetation being cleared

during this week.

Erosion has also taken place in West Watooka and Burnham Drive.
When Guyana Chronicle visited the highway on Sunday, there were visible dents and cracks along the road leading up to Moblissa and regional officials described the situation as very threatening as pressure from heavy-duty vehicles would soon allow the surface to cave in.

Regional Chairman Renis Morian, along with Assistant Director of Community Development Council, Sandra Adams was successful in mustering the support of Civil Defense Commission (CDC) in having the situation remedied before a tragedy occurred.

Guyana Chronicle was told that the pressure of the heavy downpours leading from Moblissa’s access hill, descended and destroyed the curb walls of the highway, which eroded the foundation of the road, creating huge holes in some section.

Acting promptly was the CDC, which sent a team to remedy the problem so as to alleviate further degradation of the roadway.

Regional Chairman Morian said the recent rains in Region 10 have been short, but intense, causing much damage.

He described the situation as a crisis, as there were several breaches on roadways and flooding of communities. The Ministry of Communities, Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Food for the Poor have been asked to come on board to render assistance.

“We have a serious situation, we are asking for all the agencies to come on board to assist, including the Ministry of Public infrastructure,” the Chairman posited.

In addition to erosion of roads, several communities, including the central business arena of the town have been under water for days.

Also, the residents and farmers of Rainbow City and Kara Kara have been affected. Up to Saturday evening, several homes were still under water and residents are counting their losses. Market venders were seen draining water from their stall on Saturday.

Clogged drains across the town have been deemed responsible for this flooding and the municipality, in collaboration with the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and Bosai Minerals has been working to clear the drains in an effort to have the water drain off effectively.

Regional Chairman Morian has secured a positive word from Food for the Poor to assist with relief supplies for the residents and is hoping that the CDC will render similar relief to farmers.

Adams told this publication that several CDCs across the town will commence cleaning of the drains and canals, as far as Old England and Rock Stone, with the hope that the flooding will be alleviated.
This is in addition to the commencement of drainage and irrigation community work, which will also focus on drain cleaning.

She said high tides are also a factor for flooding, but with the clean drains, the water will be able to run off at a faster rate.

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