The dam on the Alliance plantation, which is old and poorly maintained, has been leaking for quite some time now. Inhabitants have tried to close the gaps with sandbags.
During a springtide this week the dam has broken. With full force the water from the Commewijne river flooded into the village causing the main part of the village to be submerged. Damage to the houses and furnishings are enormous. In the lower part of the village the water has come up in the houses to about 70 cm.
The vegetable plots and a large part of the agricultural crops have also been swamped and destroyed.
The Commewijne river is a tidal river so when there is high tide the water level will rise further.
From the government help is slow.
Stichting Corantijn and the New Apostolic Church have joined forces and offered immediate help in the form of two boats filled with sandbags and 50 food parcels.
Our helpers received a warm welcome by the villagers.
