Excess water is presently being released from the East Demerara and the Boerasirie water conservancies following rising water levels due to the recent heavy rainfall.
A release issued last evening said that “the Ministry of Agriculture through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and Water Conservancy Commissions is currently releasing excess water” from these conservancies due to the continuous rise in water levels. According to the release, three inches of rainfall have so far been recorded.
Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud has been advised that the EDWC , which is at a level of (57.70 GD) “is currently releasing water at Land of Canaan, Kofi and Cunha into the Demerara River to reduce high levels,” the release said. The release said too that the “high levels of the Boerasirie Conservancy (61.50 GD) are also being reduced via outlets at Bonasika and Naamryck outlets.”
The Minister urged local government agencies and other regional bodies to be on the alert and to monitor the situation closely since the current rainfall is expected to continue. “All conservancies are being closely monitored,” the release added.
Recently, Persaud had told the National Assembly the sluices at Kofi and Cunha and the spill weir at Land of Canaan were not working at their full maximum capacity. However, subsequently Persaud told this newspaper that while they may not be functioning at their maximum capacity, they are functioning properly and that efforts are already being made to improve their performance.
