5th of June, 2024. Guyana, South America. GSA News. Guyana News.
Last updated: June 5, 2024 at 17:47 pm
Flooding of the Rupununi Savannahs and other areas close to the Lethem-Linden trail has seriously hindered travels from Georgetown to Lethem and vice versa. Over the last several days, vehicles were unable to ply the route because of submerged sections of the trail. Local bus companies innovated and circumvented the problem by employing the use of an engine boat to transport passengers across flooded area, loading them on the other side into another bus. The trail has basically been cut in two by the floodwaters at Pirara.
Government Rushes to the Rescue
The Guyana Government has rushed to address the problem, outlining an action today, 5th of June, 2024, as follows:
๐๐๐ญ๐ก๐๐ฆ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ซ๐ข๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ๐: ๐๐ข๐ซ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ข๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐ข๐ ๐ ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฐ
MoPW | The Ministry of Public Works (MPW), the Lethem Mayor and Town Council and the Regional Democratic Council, Region 9 are working together to address the situation at the Pirara Bridge on the Linden – Lethem corridor.
Here’s an update on the latest developments and plans:
๐๐๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ข๐ญ๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐จ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ข๐ง๐ฌ:
โข A joint meeting with the Ministry of Public Works officials, the Lethem Mayor and Town Council and RDC 9, produced a four-point action plan.
๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ฅ๐๐ง:
1. Temporary Timber Deck: Half of the new bridge’s completed piers and abutments will be outfitted with a temporary timber deck for light to medium-weight vehicles. The contractor is securing appropriate timber and expects to begin this week.
2. Phased Construction: Once the temporary deck is complete, the contractor will build the second half of the bridge using steel beams and a concrete deck. Traffic will then shift to the finished section, allowing work on the remaining half.
3. Boat Assistance (Temporary): Until the wooden deck is operational, the Lethem Mayor and Town Council, in collaboration with the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), will continue to assist travelers crossing the affected area by boat.
4. Repairs on Other Affected Sections: Efforts are underway to address other flood-damaged sections of the road. Drivers are urged to exercise caution, especially in areas with high water levels.
๐๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ข๐ญ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ:
The Ministry and local authorities are committed to exploring all options for ensuring safe and swift passage through the corridor.
