THE New Cut Channel River has been a source of income and recreation for thousands over the years. With the start of the rainy season, garbage, hanging branches and sturdy roots from the black and red mangrove trees which have hampered the free flow of the river for miles. As a result, stakeholders anticipate major flooding disasters in the low-lying Woodland and surrounding areas in the coming months.
To alleviate that anticipated devastation, the South Oropouche Flood Alleviation Council in collaboration with the South Oropouche Flood Action Group, the Woodland Flood Group and Hardcore Hunters Association gathered some 100 volunteers on Sunday morning, to clean the river.
Edward Moodie, president South Oropouche Riverine Flood Action Group and the Flood Alleviation Council explained many years ago this task was undertaken by the Ministry of Works and Transport, but that has not been the case for this year.
He said, when the river gets full and the garbage is trapped in those branches that are hanging on both sides in the river, the runoff into the Gulf of Paria would be severely slowed.
[caption id="attachment_1019593" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Edward Moodie of South Oropouche Flood Alleviation Council speaks to media along with members of the Woodland Residents Flood Relief Group, Hunter's Search and Rescue, fisherfolk and other Woodland residents before beginning an exercise to clean the banks along the New Cut River and Godineau River, onSunday. - ROGER JACOB[/caption]
“That would be detrimental to people in the Woodland, Penal/Debe. If we don’t clear the river, fortify the riverbanks, a big disaster is waiting to happen in Woodland.
“That water is going to be innundating Woodland like never before, so we have taken the initiative to cut and clear the branches and remove the garbage.”
At the exercise which began at 9 am, six boat crews were out, clearing the waterway.
Moodie said, last month, a boat captain was injured when one of the branches hit him in the face. Another was thrown out of his boat after being struck by a branch.
“It is a danger to all who use the river.”
Adesh Singh president of the Woodland Flood Group, a resident and victim of flooding in Woodland, said they were trying to help themselves and secure their lives, livelihood and properties.
Singh said work done by the ministry over the years had been purely cosmetic, as the work had been focused on the river’s surface.
Pointing to reports of millions being allocated for similar projects, Singh said their pleas for some of the funds to be channelled in their direction had fallen on deaf ears.
“It is heart-breaking to see the trauma these people go through flooding, annually.
Ren Gopeesingh of extreme hunters, who spends time searching for missing persons, said he offered his services because he lived in Penal and has witnessed the devastating effects of flooding.
[caption id="attachment_1019592" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Edward Moodie of South Oropouche Flood Alleviation Council along with members of
