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Rising sea levels inundate Cullen, other Essequibo locations
Cullen residents say that with the massive intrusion of salt water caused by another overtopping at Cullen, has lead to them being again flooded. The salt water which has been invading the residents’ premises since Sunday last, has made its entry through a vulnerable sea dam at Cullen.
The salt water which has been making the frustrated residents at Cullen uncomfortable, has reportedly reach two feet in height. Residents opined that they have since lost a number of their locally grown produce to the salt water.
Flooded conditions at Cullen
When this newspaper paid another visit to that area on Tuesday, Ishwar Seurattan, whose house is about 100 metres from the breach, said that the tide began to rise since Sunday last.
He said that the problem was further compounded due to the breach and by an extra rise in the tide.
Mr. Seurattan, who said that he has never been affected before by the constant high tides, said that the water has been lodging in his kitchen and entire yard, preventing them from especially dwelling in the kitchen where meals are usually been prepared.
Mr. Seurattan, who is scared of contracting a water borne disease, complained of many persons in the area who still access the pit latrine. He said that it is not healthy for them having to dwell in the water.
Another affected resident, Yashoda, a member of the Annandale\Riverstown Neighbourhood Democratic Council [NDC], said that like her villagers, she continues to be affected.
The angry woman opined that the real problem that causes the constant overtopping lies in the Cullen sea dam being tampered with by persons in the area.
The woman whose yard and kitchen garden has been submerged under salt water over the weekend, said that the water has made their lives uncomfortable, especially since it has reached into their kitchen, posing severe problems in the line cooking.’
The woman who also attests to losing her kitchen garden to the salt water said that sand bags had to be used to prevent the salt water from intruding further into her house.
When Kaieteur contacted officials at the Sea Defence Department, workers who had been engaged in work at Cullen, said temporary works, which included the erection of an earthern dam, had been executed.
The dam, which is susceptible to constant erosion recently eroded and a temporary timber revetment, which was previously built to prevent erosion, has also collapsed.
Workers who were also engaged in works at areas such as Maria Lodge to Onderneeming said the sluice, at Onderneeming, requires a permanent riprap boulder in order to curb erosion. Those vulnerable areas, which include Cullen, Zorg, Maria’s Lodge and Suddie, have been subjected to temporary works, which include the construction of earthen dams and the use of sand bags.
According to the worker, they are presently engaged in temporary work due to insufficient finances available to their department.
Region Chairman, Mr. Alli Baksh, said that he has received reports of persons destroying the embankment by removing the earth for their garden.
Baksh said that the government recently spent some $115 million to construct a rip rap wall at Zorg, Essequibo Coast to seal a massive breach.
Residents also living in the Paradise\Jibb area and in the Pomeroon have also complained of being flooded.
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