Wakenaam on high alert for spring tide – Chairman

In light of this week’s impending spring tides, which should see its highest level on Tuesday afternoon, Chairman of the Wakenaam Island Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Sheik Ahmad, told Guyana Times that the council has been preparing for possible inundation. In a telephone interview on Saturday, the chairman outlined that the island’s preparedness is ever ongoing owing to several sections being prone to flooding.
Ahmad explained that farmers would normally be alerted by the island’s authorities, and would also receive updates in the local press. He added that, over the last few weeks, the NDC has been working with farmers to maintain drainage and irrigation channels in order to ensure than farmers garner enough water for their rice lands.
“We had to do some work to get water from one section to the other section, because (at) the shore of Wakenaam facing Essequibo, the water is normally sweeter than the shore of Wakenaam facing Legaun, (where) water normally gets salt there. So we (opened) by-passes for farmers,” the NDC Chairman pointed out.
With the rice crop being some 40-50 days away from maturity, workers have been labouring overtime to ensure their produce is saved. Ahmad noted that over 300 acres were under threat with the recent lack of consistent rainfall. He, however, stated that he, along with other councillors and farmers, was able to reduce this threat via rehabilitation initiatives on the island. Those, he explained, were several koker doors that have been rectified. To this end, it was explained, the NDC is working with the National Drainage & Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to rehabilitate and replace broken koker doors.
“We have some koker attendants and we normally have reports coming in,” he said.
It was further explained that when the tide starts to rise, a few of the doors would be opened to take in much needed water for rice cultivation, because there is a faster flow into the trenches. He cautioned that this will be on the Essequibo shore only. According to information provided by the Public Infrastructure Ministry, persons from San Souci to Sarah on Wakenaam Island are being urged to take precautionary measures. It was outlined that at 16:55h on Tuesday, the highest tides are expected at a height of 3:30 metres, and on Monday and Wednesday, January 21 and 23, at 16:06 and 17:44h respectively, high tide of 3:26 metres would occur.
“Precaution should also be taken by all mariners, including those operating fishing vessels and larger ones. Use of beaches and foreshore areas for recreational purposes during this period is not advised,” the ministry stressed.
During 2018, there were two major incidences of flooding on the Essequibo Island. In June, a breach to a section of the sea defence structure led to inundation in the communities of Melville and Sans Souci. Residents had encountered salt water levels as high as three feet, which had invaded low-lying homes and damaged appliances, carpets and other household items. The NDC Chairman had told this newspaper that over 12 homes sustained damage from the flood waters, and had also noted that the Sans Souci Masjid was inundated, causing some damage.
On Boxing Day 2018, several homes in Wakenaam were again flooded after the door of the koker at Maria’s Pleasure gave way, causing the water level to rise approximately 12 inches. Former Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) Regional Executive Officer (REO) Denis Jaikarran had explained that some 36 homes had been affected.