A breach in the river defence along the Canje River, topped with the current high tide, has resulted in sections of Smithfield in New Amsterdam being flooded on Tuesday.
The Canje River overtopping
The water from the Canje River has been making life uncomfortable for some Smithfield residents for months; however, the current spring tide leaves several inches of water in their yards twice a day.
Crops have been affected by the salty water. Speaking with Guyana Times, Juene Welcome related that over the past 15 years, she has been living in the same area and efforts have been made to prevent the Canje River from flowing into their yards but all that is now history.
“When we first come here the water use to be big but since they build the koker so many years ago, we never get this big fold,” she explained.
Another resident, Andrew Welcome, noted that for years they have been affected by flood waters on a daily basis but they have learnt to, “Give and take with it. This is salt water now and the flood too big so I have to complain and ask the relevant authorities to assist us.”
A section of the revetment which was erected to keep the Canje River water out has collapsed, resulting in the river overtopping the bank at Karakas. A mother of seven, Paula Hinds, explained that some of the water could be contaminated.
“It is very bad for my children. Chinese has his foul farm there and the water coming over and the water is very stink. It is making our children sic,” she told the Guyana Times.
Another resident, a teacher, Ceciliea Lagadoo explained that on more than one occasion, she fell trying to get out of her yard. On those occasions she had return to the house and get dressed again.
“I have two daughters who are nurses and it is very difficult for them to come out to go to work in the mornings or at nights. The water is very smelly and it is not healthy for our kids…”
She also noted that residents have been losing livestock as a result of the flood.
However, Regional Vice Chairman Dennis DeRoop said a contractor has been identified to repair the revetment but noted that the contractor will need two weeks to get up the materials and equipment.
Residents are also concerned about the manner in which another contractor who was contracted to erect a sluice has been handling it. According to them, trucks have been taking sand to the construction site and coming out with earth.
“Truck load, truck load of dirty they bring out and going and sell it. They could take that same dirt and put it where the water coming in from,” one resident said.
Meanwhile, two other breaches of the river defence have also been sighted in the same community.
