Georgetown, GINA, March 21, 2008
President Bharat Jagdeo today visited Montrose and Betterhope, East Coast Demerara, two communities severely affected by overtopping. He assured concerned residents that government is putting all mechanisms in place to prevent a breach in the sea defence system.

The overtopping is as a result of spring tides with a low pressure system and high winds that is affecting the Caribbean region. Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn who was on site during the President’s visit said, “There was a three metre swelling riding on top of the high tides.”
The overtopping started around 1:30 h on March 21 and is expected to continue over the next two days.
Interventions to mitigate the effects of the current situation include placing of sandbags at eroded areas, while other efforts are ongoing to ensure that the water drains off quickly.

There has been an assurance from the sea defence team that the seawall will not break. Minister Benn said, “We are out here and we will not allow the wall to fail and put people in peril.”
After concerns were expressed by the residents about the worse case scenario that they would need to be evacuated, the President assured them that this would be done in a prompt manner if such a situation arises.
President Jagdeo also asked residents to continue to be vigilant in their monitoring of the situation.
He highlighted that the overtopping is a realization of the effects of global warming and climate change in the region.
The current high tide has also affected Barbados, Dominica, Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago.