Heavy flooding at Zeelugt averted
─breached koker door being fixed
─two homes partially inundated
─no loss of life or livestock
─situation under control
DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Quick response from the Regional Administration of Essequibo Islands-West Demerara averted what could have been a major flood in Zeelugt on the East Bank of Essequibo. The high tides in the afternoon hours on May 1, damaged the koker door resulting in water from the Atlantic Ocean gushing in.
According to Senior Superintendent of Works (SSOW) Shanganan Singh the situation is currently under control and is being monitored closely.
“As soon as it was reported that there was a breach to the koker door, I visited the site and realised that the powerful force of the water partially broke the koker thus causing the water to gush inwards. Immediately the disaster risk management response team became operational and materials were mobilised to temporarily stop the leakage. The Stop logs have been put in place and the koker door as we speak will be taken off and repaired. I assure you that the situation is under control and is being monitored closely,” SSOW Singh noted.
Visiting the site also was Regional Executive Officer Jennifer Ferreira-Dougall who said that from her initial assessment two low–lying yards were partially inundated. “The water level in the trench has risen and two low-lying yards were partially flooded but not to cause any panic. The water has begun to recede and the water in the yards have also gone down. I am happy that we were able to quickly respond to this situation,” REO Ferreira Dougall said
She also indicated that there was no serious threat to human life or livestock and has committed to monitoring the situation until repairs to the koker door are completed.
Story and Images: Ganesh Mahipaul