PERSONS residing along the banks of rivers and in low-lying coastal areas are urged to take all necessary precautions against flooding during the spring tide period which began on Thursday and is due to end on October 2.

Chief Sea and River Defence Officer in the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Kevin Samad, issued the high-tide alert on Friday.

The highest tides are expected on Sunday at 4:38pm at a height of 3.36 metres, and on Monday at 5:18pm at a height of 3.32 metres, the notice stated.

The Sea and River Defence Department says it considers the Pomeroon River banks; Sans Souci to Sarah and Maria’s Pleasure to Meerzorg, Wakenaam Island; Cane Field/Amsterdam, Endeavour/Blenheim, Cane Garden on Leguan Island; Windsor Forest to De Willem, West Coast Demerara; the Parika market area and Salem to Sparta, East Bank Essequibo; Water Street, Georgetown; Helena Number One and Two, Mahaica; Fairfield /Dantzig, Mahaicony; and Wellington Park/Tarlogie on the Corentyne, to be particularly susceptible to possible flooding as a result of storm surges which may induce overtopping of sea and river defence structures.

In addition to those locations, all persons residing along the banks of rivers and low-lying coastal areas are advised to take all the necessary precautions against possible flooding.
Mariners, including those operating fishing vessels and larger vessels, are warned to be cautious. The ministry has also advised that beaches and foreshore areas should not be used for recreational purposes during this period.

Meanwhile, in the event of an emergency, contact can be made on telephone numbers 225-9868, 226-1070, 226-4368, 654-4226, 654-4227 or 632-1161.

Dennis Ramsingh, District Engineer, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), who was at Parika monitoring the situation, said he and other Sea and River Defence officials in the other regions are in alert mode, in the event of emergencies. Such a situation will continue until the spring tide period ends on October 2.

He said a minimum amount of water was seeping from below the Parika stelling, due to its low elevation, and there were other minor overflows. There is nothing to cause alarm however, as the drains have been taking off the excess water.

Ramsingh, however, reminded of the two highest tides that will occur on Sunday and Monday.