Latest update November 23rd, 2024 1:00 AM
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Residents come together to alleviate Linden flooding
Approximately 150 persons were drawn from the Victory Valley CDC and Silver City D&I groups in Linden to undertake emergency cleaning and desilting of the Watanabo Creek.
The creek runs through Victory Valley and neighbouring communities and meanders its way into the Demerara River. The manual excavation became mandatory to alleviate the flooding that occurred on Friday, due to incessant torrential rainfall in the mining town.
Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, who had rushed to the area soon after the rains, recommended that emergency works begin the following day and so workers were out in full force bright and early Saturday morning to desilt the creek.
Workers from the Victory Vally CDC group clear Watanabo creek
One of the Co-ordinators of the project, Phillip Bynoe, said that the Watanabo Creek is critical to alleviating flooding of Silver City and its environs, as a lot of drains and gutters empty into the creek.
Bynoe said that the creek has to be dug to a depth of at least four feet and a width of six feet.
He said that the excavation works would be completed in about three days.
Both men and women were engaged in the exercise, while quite a few children had a ‘field day’ catching Patwas, which were rendered vulnerable as a result of the digging.
Minister of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, who was in Linden during the recent Cabinet Outreach, visited the area and observed the ongoing works. He also took time out to chat with co-ordinator Phillip Bynoe and offered some pertinent advice.
Also on hand was Senior Government Engineer Walter Willis.
While Willis had no complaints about the work itself, he pointed out that encroaching unto the path of the creek was somewhat to be blamed for some amount of flooding, as the erection of fences too close to the creek affected proper digging.
Willis recommended that these fences be removed to facilitate proper drainage and irrigation works.
Meanwhile, major stakeholders in Region 10 have warned residents not to remove vegetation from the sides of the hills, as this plays a critical role in holding the loose sandy soil together. When the vegetation is removed the loose soil is washed away and ends up in the creeks and drains, silting them up and rendering these already vulnerable areas more susceptible to flooding. Residents have suggested that persons be prosecuted for engaging in any activity that would further increase the areas’ susceptibility to flooding.
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