The power outages residents on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway experienced on Monday was as a result of damage to the Guyana Power and Light’s (GPL) infrastructure, from a freak storm the previous day.
According to the utility company in a press release on Tuesday, the storm struck in
Trees were uprooted as a result of the storm on the Linden/Soesdyke highway
the vicinity of Splashmins Resort at approximately 13:00h on Sunday. It resulted in the dislocation of seven poles belonging to GPL.
This, the company stated, was partially due to uprooted trees falling on the lines. As a result, the supply of electricity to customers in surrounding communities was consequently interrupted.
“Maintenance crews were dispatched to the area to repair the damaged network and work is in the final stages of completion. Power is expected to be restored this evening (Tuesday),” the company added.
Several customers were present at the Splashmins Resort when the storm struck and they expressed shock at the phenomena. Some took to social media and reported encountering heavy winds, rains and lightening which suddenly struck, abruptly bringing an end to their sojourn at the popular destination.
Freak storms have become more and more frequent, sometimes with deadly consequences. Following the recent destruction of buildings in Kako after a windstorm, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) Chairman Gordon Bradford has said there is need for the development of storm shelters in Upper Mazaruni communities.
Bradford told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the region is working with the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry and the Guyana Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to develop storm-resistant infrastructure.
“We have identified some buildings which are concrete… and we know that it will take a really severe wind to remove that. So, in the event of the heavy storm, residents should seek shelter at these buildings,” Bradford said.
A few days ago, a storm destroyed six buildings and damaged others, including the school in Kako Village. This was mere months after the community was assailed by flooding. Bradford said there have been increased reports of stormy weather occurring in Upper Mazaruni communities.
“My information is that over the past five or six days, this has been a regular occurrence around 2-2:30, 3 o’clock in the afternoon, (there is) this thunderstorm, lightning, thunder, rains and the heavy winds. So, my advice to residents is to look out and be prepared,” he said.
Jawalla, another Region Seven community, was hit by a similar windstorm late in August, resulting in one death. The Region Seven administration has been working with the CDC to monitor these communities and provide relief where needed.
Last year October, several houses were destroyed during a freak storm at two villages in Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). Reports are that high winds followed by rain ripped off roofs and flattened thistles, while uprooting trees, resulting in millions of dollars in damages. One house was totally destroyed.
