Residents of the Cornelia Ida Sea View/ Anna Catherina communities on the West Coast of Demerara in Region Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands) are restructuring their homes following damage caused by high spring tides overtopping the sea defenses.

The residents in the area were last Wednesday affected when the high spring tides overtopped sections of the sea wall.

In an effort to avoid a rise in flood water-levels, residents broke the main road at two points so the water would run off into the perimeter drain.

This was done as the culvert was too small to accommodate the volume of water.

On site that day, Minister of Housing and Water, Mr. Irfaan Ali, reportedly said, “This is one of the highest tides that we have had over the last few days, and this is a natural occurrence; and we have warned residents living in areas like these of the possibility of excessive flooding during this period.”

One of several houses damaged by the spring tide.

Similar occurrences were seen along the East Coast of Demerara.
According to the National Weather Watch Station, the spring tide will continue until Wednesday.

Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Robert Persaud in a release to the media, said the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority and the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary/Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) are on full alert to support their sister agency, the Sea Defence Unit.

Further, the Ministry’s National Drainage and Irrigation Authority have reportedly already mobilised an excavator which is on standby at Montrose, while clogged residential canals and culverts have been cleared.

The Ministry of Agriculture’s Hotline numbers are 227-5049, 223-7291 and
text messaging: 691-0000.