Weeks of flooding

Residents of Dochfour/ Hope on the East Coast of Demerara have been trapped in flooded environs for almost three weeks. This week we asked villagers how the floodwater was affecting their Christmas celebrations and what they wanted to be done to remedy their situation.

Brijgobin Mohabir, farmer: ‘I am celebrating Christmas in the rain and am trying to make the best out of a very bad situation. My whole family is suffering, since everywhere you look there is so much water. I am trying but it is very hard.  The only way this problem can be solved is to get the koker and the groyne working properly. If not, the water will continue to rise.

Gangadai Bharrat, farmer: ‘This flood has spoilt my whole Christmas. Right now, I sick and I can’t even go out to get the things I need. Also my animals are suffering too, I had to loose my animals and let them go and find dry land. I want the authorities to give us a proper pump and a working koker. Also I would like the authorities to show more concern for the suffering villagers.’

Sheldon Norman, farm worker: ‘These floodwaters have made the entire season bad.  We used to flood before but never like this.  What is worrying is that it is rain water that has caused this, not conservancy water. The authorities have to do more to get the water to draw off. Not only do they have to get the koker working properly but the drains also need to be cleared.’

Seon George, farm worker: ’This floodwater has made my Christmas horrible. Everywhere you look you are seeing water and a lot of animals. The people in the community can’t keep their animals at home, so they let them loose and they are walking all about.   And this is not healthy. Right now, the water is affecting my health since I have a set of rashes coming out on my skin. Additionally, I can’t even play any games now, because the ball field is covered with water. One thing I would like to see is good drainage.’

Zena Samad, shop owner: ‘The floodwaters are really affecting my Christmas.  Firstly, it has affected my health. A few years ago, I suffered from varicose vein but it got better over time. But recently, because of the floods, I was forced to wear long boots for long periods of time and this cause my leg to bruise and it is paining me again. Secondly, my business is suffering, I’ve lost a lot of my stock and as can be expected the sales are not very high.  I would also like to be compensated for the goods I would have lost.’

Doodnauth Roy, farmer: ‘I was expecting rain this Christmas, but not so much of it.  However, I am disappointed because, sometimes it rains even more than this and the place does not flood. I have lost a lot of produce and this has caused a great financial setback. I want the koker to be repaired and in full operation.’

Sunita Tetriabissoon, farmer: ‘Flood or no flood I will enjoy this season. It is sad that this has happened, but my family and I are making the best out of the situation. I really would like the water to draw off completely and this will only be done if the koker is working at its best. They should also rebuild the groyne.’

Shive Balkarran, farmer: ‘This has put a damper on my Christmas celebrations.  I have lost a lot of my farm produce. The problem has come about because of negligence. For a long time the koker wasn’t working and now when we are flooded they are tying to fix the problem. I want the water off the land quickly and I would like to know who will be compensating me for all the crops that I have lost.  I spent a lot of money investing and I have lost a lot.’

Dhanraj Manooj, farmer:  ‘My Christmas celebrations have been washed away. I am surrounded by water and I have lost a lot of crops due to the water. I would really like to see the koker fully operating and the water drained off. We in this area need to see much less talk and far more action.’

Ravindranauth Kishore, farmer: ‘The Christmas season has been spoilt for my entire family. I am tired of this water problem. Everywhere I look I am seeing water. This is an unhealthy situation to be in. The water needs to be drained off and this can only be done if the koker is working properly, which it is not.  Besides that, we need the government officials to be more caring, all we are getting is a lot of talk.  Also we need enough food and medical supplies to be provided.’