THE Ministry of Public Infrastructure has activated the full force of its Sea and River Defence Department to respond to severe erosion giving way to flooding in farmlands in the Mahaicony area.

On Sunday, Chief Sea and River Defence Officer Kevin Samad told the newspaper that the ministry is aware of the situation and will be addressing same with the placement of boulders, rip-rap structures and dam- reinforcement works.

Samad confirmed previous media reports that the issue lies at earthen embankments between the Broomhall and Danzigt areas, which serve as barriers to the Bellamy Canal from the Atlantic Ocean.

With the barrier now broken in some areas, neighbouring farmlands have experienced flooding which can prove detrimental to crops.

“Some flooding of rice and pasture lands [have occurred] since the Bellamy Canal is at full capacity due to heavy rainfall over last few days. The Bellamy sluice is discharging into the Mahaica River and is working at both low-tide periods within 24 hours to ensure rapid drawdown,” Samad stated.

The erosion cycle in the Mahaicony area has also been attributed to a loss of large stretches of mangrove forest, which was a natural defence against the raging tide and rising sea level.

The chief sea and river defence officer informed this newspaper that works are ongoing at the Prospect and Broomhall areas to secure vulnerable stretches.

Some 2,000 tons of boulders have already been delivered to vulnerable sections at the areas for placement along the sea dam.

However, a situation has developed at the Danzigt area, resulting in the breaching of 125 metres of earthen dam — the primary sea defence structure protected by mangrove forest along the entire Mahaicony district

As such, another 1,000 tons of boulders will be delivered on Wednesday at the breached section at Danzigt.

“A contract was recently awarded for permanent riprap works in the Prospect area. However, some boulders will be diverted to Danzigt to seal the breached section,” Samad said.

“A long boom excavator was mobilised yesterday to assist rice farmers to reinforce dams around their rice fields to prevent intrusion. Works will commence today [Sunday] for the farmers. A walkthrough will be done [on Sunday and Monday] with the rice farmers and sea defence officers to ensure effective emergency interventions. A second excavator attached to the ministry will be mobilised by Tuesday to work along with farmers.”
Meanwhile, he reported that waters are now receding in the Bellamy Canal and connecting canals.

On July 9, 2019, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure will open a tender at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) for the construction of 350 metres of riprap structure between Prospect and Broomhall.

This marks Phase 2 of a project previously commenced with the awarding of a contract for the construction of 325 metres of riprap structure as Phase 1.
The total length of construction between Prospect and Broomhall is 675 metres or over 1,200 feet of works.

Added to this, a tender was opened on July 2, 2019 for the supply of 2,500 tons of boulders to address the breached area at Danzigt, which adds to the 1,000 tons expected on Wednesday.

Samad stated: “The areas will continue to be monitored by the Sea and River Defence Department to ensure quick response to secure the breached and vulnerable sections and to arrest the erosion of the sea dam and to prevent consequential flooding. The contractors have three excavators on site currently fortifying vulnerable sections.”

The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has also been apprised of the situation and will be assisting where necessary.

He acknowledged that while “intense rains” over the past few days have been affecting the pace of works, the neap-tide period expected for the next 10 days will allow for an advance with the emergency works before the next spring-tide period.