Georgetown, GINA, March 25, 2008.Life is gradually returning to normalcy in the lower East Coast Demerara villages that were affected by the recent flooding caused by overtopping during the Spring Tide period while necessary assistance is still being provided by Government.
During a visit to the affected communities of North Better Hope, Vryheid’s Lust and Montrose today, it was observed that some residents have completed cleaning of their homes and surroundings while others are still engaged in the process.
Government’s interventions in the affected areas include the provision of detergents to help in the cleaning activities and this was lauded by residents, since most of them benefited from the assistance.
In addition, through the Ministry of Agriculture veterinary supplies were distributed to persons engaged in livestock and poultry rearing while potable water was being provided to those in need. Medical teams were also deployed to the areas while a health centre was put in operation at Montrose.
Residents expressed gratitude for Government’s rapid response and interventions to help them deal with the situation, which they acknowledged was unexpected.
“It caught us by surprise. It was so unexpected but the response – oh it was unbelievable. From the last major flood we had to now, the response was really something good and I got to compliment them (Government ),” said Tony Lam of Broad Street, North Vryhied’s Lust.

The villagers further highlighted the immediate deployment of excavators to clear the internal drains, which are managed and maintained by the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC). This intervention through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) resulted in the effective withdrawal of the accumulated water within a short period of time while efforts are still ongoing to further enhance the system.
Reference was made to the huge piles of garbage that blocked the drains when the excess water entered the system, and the encroachment of the reserves by some businesspersons. Residents called upon other citizens to desist from such activities especially since they have seen the implications on their entire community.
They noted that efforts were made through the Ministry of Public Works and Communications to strengthen sections of the sea defence that overtopped while these activities were directly led by Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn, who was present in the areas most of the time.
Chief Hydrometeorological Officer Bhaleka Suelall (ag) had explained that the Spring Tides were compounded by a low pressure system in the Atlantic that was generating wave action and these were responsible for the abnormal swells and excessive high tides.
In addition, the current La Nina condition is associated with easterly gusty winds that are further aggravating the situation which has affected the entire Caribbean Region forcing many beaches to be closed. There has been at least one death reported in Barbados as a result of the occurrence.