Early morning high tides, yesterday led to overtopping of the sea defence in the areas of Belladrum/Foulis and Plantation Brahan in Region Five, a release from GINA said.

However, residents were unaffected since the water overflowed into the façade canal used by the Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary-Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) to drain sluices during low tides, the release said.

According to the release, both areas experienced spring tides at approximately 2:30 am resulting in the overtopping. “The current spring tide period began on July 19 and will end on July 27, GINA stated. According to the release, the spring tide yesterday afternoon was the highest. This tide when it peaked at 5:15 pm was 3.3 metres above chart datum.  This morning’s tide will be 3.20 metres and will continue to drop from then on, the release said. Chief Engineer of Region Five, Davindranauth Johnny is monitoring the situation.

Meanwhile, works are currently ongoing at Plantation Brahan to enhance the sea defence in that area and a contract for the construction of a sluice at Belladrum/Foulis is awaiting approval, GINA said.

In March 2008, the government made interventions to strengthen the sea defence on the lower East Coast Demerara including Better Hope, Vryheid’s Lust and Montrose which were affected by overtopping caused by spring tides.