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Squall wreaks havoc in city
A brief but powerful storm battered parts of the capital city last evening, toppling trees and utility poles.
A number of vehicles and several homes were also damaged as a result of the phenomenon, which was compounded by a flash flood.
A motor car belonging to Ulric London, who lives at North East La Penitence, was damaged when a huge palm tree collapsed onto his garage.
London’s neighbours also reported damages to the fence which encloses their property, caused by the falling of other palm trees. Residents of the area have long complained to the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) about the overgrown palm trees.
London also noted that he has been behind his neighbour to cut the trees, but his requests had fallen on deaf ears.
Pamela Das’s car was also damaged. She was visiting a friend on Princes Street when the horizontal support beam atop a utility pole dislodged mysteriously and came crashing onto the rear of her car.
The rear windshield was completely shattered and the roof of her car severely dented from pieces of the beam.
Some speculated that the pole may have been struck by a bolt of lightning.
When this newspaper visited the scene, some one hour after the incident, personnel from the electricity company were yet to arrive, even though Das said she had called them as soon as the incident occurred.
“Right now I frighten to touch the car till GPL come. Given that a power line was still lying on my car, I am fearful that it may still be powered.” Das said.
She also summoned the police.
Meanwhile, GPL staff was observed on Sheriff Street in the vicinity of the Chinese Embassy, attending to a fallen lantern post which was downed as a result of the heavy winds that accompanied the squall. Numerous reports of flooding were received from several sections of the city.
Residents were observed wading through ankle-deep water, and they all expressed surprise that the water had so risen after only 25 minutes of rain.
Some persons were forced to place their furniture and other valuables on props to keep them out of the water.
The roof of a house in East Ruimveldt (Back Circle) was partially ripped off. This newspaper was informed that the water in the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) as of last evening was 58.3 GD at the highest point, with the critical level being 59GD.
Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, when contacted, noted that the level was just at one point in the conservancy and an average of readings taken through the EDWC would reveal an average of 57GD, which was well within the a safe boundary.
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