A mudslide, accidentally caused by a contractor, damaged two homes at Wismar, Linden on Wednesday.
No one was injured in the disaster, which occurred after an excavator accidentally hit a main pipeline.
Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Chairman for Region 10 Deron Adams said yesterday that the contractor, identified only as Mr Harry, would normally clear the drains of debris for residents in the Wismar community as an act of goodwill. However, on Wednesday, while on top up of a hill clearing the drains for residents in the community, the operator of his excavator accidentally hit one of the mains in the area. The water gushed out and accumulated, causing mud on top of the hill to slide. The excavator fell as well.
Adams noted that three houses along with 12 persons from the homes were affected.
Iva Fraser, who lives in one of the damaged houses, told Stabroek News that currently there is no electricity in the area as a result of some electrical poles falling because of the mud slide. Fraser added that currently she was staying at a lumber yard offered by the contractor until the repairs are done to her house. Her house was leaning as a result of the disaster.
Adams said mud flowed into a house, while two others were damaged. Also, debris covered the roads. He said that after the accident the operator of the excavator could not be found but fears over his fate were dispelled after CCTV footage from the area showed that he disembarked the excavator and ran away.
Adams said he found out that the operator was afraid, panicked and ran away. He noted that no one was injured. He added that although the contractor was seeking to help the residents, he should have informed the technical engineers or the RDC. He explained that the contractor could have been advised by Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and Guyana Water Inc (GWI) about where the electrical wires and mains in the area were located. He said that practice goes for all contractors that are awarded by the administration when doing work in the area.
Adams said that he has engaged the necessary authority in the area for help with the repairs to assist the contractor to do the repairs for the affected residents as well as to clear the debris, electrical wires and poles that fell in the area.
