The Maduni sluice which has been used to drain water from the swollen East Demerara Water Conservancy into the Mahaica Creek is to be closed. The closing should ease the present severe flooding in Mahaica and Mahaicony.
A statement today from Minister of Agriculture, Dr Leslie Ramsammy said:
“This morning I called His Excellency President Donald Ramotar and informed him that we had decided that the Maduni Sluice could be closed today, even though we had not reached the target water level of 58.3.
“At 9.00 am this morning the water level in the East Demerara Water Conservancy dropped below 58.45. While the target for closing the Maduni was established at 58.30 to 58.0, we took a decision to close the Maduni Sluice today. The Sluice will be fully closed at 12.00 noon.
“This decision was taken so that we could accelerate the receding of water in the Mahaica, Mahaicony and Abary areas.
“The decision was taken with the background of an improved weather pattern. We have had almost 36 hours of good weather (low rainfall amounts) and the forecast calls for continued good weather in the next 24 to 72 hours.
“We will continue our efforts in this area to bring about improved conditions.”
The release of water from the Maduni over the last eight days into the Mahaica has flooded hundreds of households and destroyed cash crops and rice farms. Livestock and poultry farmers have also suffered heavy losses.
