–say Uitvlugt, Leonora residents in wake of overtopping on Friday
IN the aftermath of the high tides that overtopped sections of the West Coast Demerara seawall on Friday, residents of the villages of Uitvlugt and Leonora are calling for improved sea defence and proper drainage and irrigation in their communities.
They contended that many of the drains were filled with debris and this prevented a smooth flow of water off the land.
The Leonora Diagnostic and Treatment Centre (Cottage Hospital) was closed due to flooding in the lower flat of the building.
The hospital is expected to re-open today. While closed, the Den Amstel Health Centre, Uitvlugt Health Centre and De Kindren Health Centre operated on a 24-hour basis.
Residents noted that the poorly kept drains and irrigation canal around the hospital resulted in the flooding, pointing out that surrounding areas of the hospital were not flooded.
On Sunday, affected residents had cleaned up their homes and premises of the debris deposited by the flood, which included mud, water and other articles captured by the ferocious waves some estimated as high as 15 feet.
Several families were displaced and extensive damage was done to goods and household items.
Over 300 households in Uitvlugt on Saturday received cleaning supplies to safeguard against water borne diseases and other hazards.
Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, had distributed bleach and jeyes fluid among other supplies to the residents of the community.
High tides overtopped sections of the West Demerara seawall on Friday inundating the communities of Leonora, Stewartville and Uitvlugt.
Several portions of the upper part of the Uitvlugt seawall’s concrete crest broke under the pressure of the above-normal tides, resulting in flooding in the area.
The Guyana Chronicle on a visit to the site had observed that efforts were underway to minimise the problem, as workers were seen placing rocks and mortar at sections of the damaged seawall.
The Civil Defence Committee (CDC) has said it is working to organise relief efforts within the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), having conducted an on- the-ground assessment of the flooding.
