A critical section of sea defence at Bush Lot/Maida, Corentyne was breached on Christmas Eve Day and the Sea and River Defence Department (SRDD), under the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, is currently responding.
The Ministry is advising persons residing along the banks of rivers and low lying coastal areas to take all necessary precautions against possible flooding.
Precaution should also be taken by all mariners, including those operating fishing vessels and larger vessels. Use of beaches and foreshore areas for recreational purposes during this period is not advised.
The breach was reported shortly after 19:00hrs on December 24, 2015.
The Ministry in an advisory noted that the stretch, spanning 800 metres, is currently having permanent works conducted on it by Toolsie Persaud Quarry Inc., which was awarded the contract in September. Though work has begun, there is a section spanning 100 feet that is still to be addressed. This section was the area that was breached.
SRDD began mobilising equipment and workers yesterday (December 25, 2015) to conduct temporary works to secure the breached area. Additionally, drainage works, including the clearing of channels, will be done to create some diversion for the inundated waters.
SRDD is also currently determining the extent of the effect of the breach on residents and existing structures.
This breach comes during a spring tide period of December 22, 2015 to December 29, 2015. The predicted tide indicates above normal levels for this period.
The highest tides were expected to be on Friday December 25, 2015 at 3:47pm at a height of 3.10 metres and Saturday December 26, 2015 at 4:28pm at a height of 3.08 metres.
Meanwhile, September last authorities mobilized machinery and materials to seal a rapidly developing breach of the sea defence at Belladrum, West Coast Berbice. Goutam Singh Khan construction firm of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (GSK) was contracted to carry out the works necessary, under supervision of Mr. Roberto Narine, District Engineer, Region Five.
Residents, especially farmers had become alarmed after seeing water flowing over the sea defence dam. There was also significant erosion caused by wave action at the point where works previously done, seem to have ended abruptly. The seawater had created a channel by washing away the earth at the point where the boulders, riprap system, met the earthen embankment.
Left unattended, salt water could have reached farmlands throughout the entire West Berbice via the network of canals of the massive MMA/ADA drainage and irrigation scheme, thereby affecting the livelihood of thousands of people.
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