Communities in Linden under threat of massive erosion, floods

Several communities in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) are now experiencing massive erosion and flooding as the inclement weather pattern continues.
Residents in areas such as Block 22, Wisroc, Buck Hill and Blueberry Hill are now registering concerns as homes and yards are flooded as they point to improper drainage systems.
In other instances, roads are suffering from massive erosion. At Phase 1B Wisroc, residents have indicated that the runoff of water from the roadways are causing yards to flood during heavy rains. As such, they are calling for enhanced drainage systems. Others are complaining that in some cases, the drains are filled with sand and are clogged as a result, while some residents have highlighted that there are no drainage systems in place.
At Block 22, Wismar residents pointed out that the roads in the community are not maintained and continue to erode. They also noted that some of the drainage systems are inadequate. This publication visited the area during heavy rainfall on Sunday and witnessed firsthand, the flooding and erosion of roads and parapets.
A resident who highlighted her concerns said the road which runs parallel to her yard has not been maintained in years.
“For as long as I’m living here, this road never does (upgraded), and I’m living here almost 20 years. Because of this, it’s causing the yard to flood and erosion. This is what happening for as long as I’ve been here”, the resident explained, as she pointed to an eroded section of road as rainwater gushed in on her yard. In an attempt to stop the water, some residents of Block 22 managed to fill sandbags and place sand along their premises.
Another resident pleaded with the authorities to look into the situation.
“We’ve been suffering for many years now. When the rain falls the road break away, wash away and the water come in our yard. When the water come in our yard it does get swampy. This cause the posts that holding up the house to rotten. We need something to be done about this road. It’s too long we suffering. Every time they fixing the roads up to one spot. They fixing the roads in front and forget about we at the back here. So, we need them to come and look into this matter as soon as possible”, the resident pleaded.
This publication also spoke to Environmental Engineer Samuel Wright as it relates to a severely eroded section of road at the site of the Dakoura Creek at Wismar.
An underlying culvert, Wright noted, is presently under threat and a significant amount of the road has already eroded. The engineer noted that he fears the worse if the situation is not rectified. Residents have placed a sign at the section of the road, warning motorists to desist from driving along that section to avoid fatality.
“It’s a threat. I’m afraid that sometime there might be a lot more water and this (road) will get soft and it caves in”, Wright indicated.