Highest spring tide expected on Monday
not likely to cause disaster

Georgetown, GINA, April 05, 2008.

Chief Hydrometeorological Officers (ag) Bhaleka Suelall has indicated that the highest maximum spring tide predicted for 2008 is expected on Monday, April 07 at 04:25 h at a height of 3.27 metres.
            She explained that the tide is not likely to cause any major disaster unless it is coupled with severe weather conditions. Currently there is no weather system in Guyana’s vicinity that is likely to trigger any major problems.
Nevertheless, Suelall urged that fishermen and persons living along the coast and riverain remain alert at all times during this period and keep abreast with the advisories and forecast being provided by the Hydrometeorological Service.
The current spring tide period commenced on the April 03 and will conclude on April 10. Spring tides are tides that are greater than 2.74 metres.
Engineers from the Sea Defence Unit of the Ministry of Public Works and Communications are continuing their monitoring activities in all sea defence districts and are responding to various vulnerable areas.
In addition, efforts have been made to strengthen the sea defence along the lower East Coast Demerara that experienced overtopping during the last spring tide period which took place late last month.
Villages such as North Better Hope, Vryheid’s Lust and Montrose were flooded as a result of the spring tides which were aggravated by a low pressure system in the Atlantic and La Nina conditions that generated gusty winds.
The internal drainage and irrigation system and main drains along the public road have since been significantly improved by the clearance and removal of garbage and illegal structures.
Several Caribbean countries were also affected by the situation as several beaches were forcibly closed and at least one death was reported in Barbados. 

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