Georgetown, particularly its central district, was inundated yesterday, with water rising to as high as two feet in some areas.
In areas where there is deficient drainage and low roads, like North and South Ruimveldt Gardens and Park and Bel Air Park, the water was the highest, resulting in a number of vehicles breaking down as the water came into contact with engine parts. In other flood prone areas, like Main, Regent, Water and D’Urban streets, in La Penitence, Albouystown and around the municipal markets, some residents had water in their bottom flats and a few businesses were closed.
According to the Hydromet Office, there has been a change in the weather pattern and continuous rainfall is expected until Sunday. The office said that on Thursday evening, cloudy spells with overcast conditions led to early morning showers along coastal regions and inland locations. Yesterday, intermittent rainfall activities occurred throughout the coastland with partly-cloudy to cloudy conditions and showers in some locations.
For the remainder of the forecast period, occasional showers can be expected over coastal regions and near inland locations. The Met Office said rainfall stations may measure an average of 15.0 mm of rainfall in a 24-hour period.
City Mayor Hamilton Green said yesterday that all the pumps in the city were working and Mayor and City Council workers were trying their best to get the city drained.
He claimed that one of the main reasons the water is still logged onto the land was because of the Styrofoam boxes, plates and cups that are dumped in the drains.
“In order to clear the drains, we need more manpower and at this time we cannot afford it… we are strapped,” the mayor said. “But we are doing everything to ease the flooding.”
Kingston, which was severely flooded on Thursday after a koker was left open on Water Street, suffered a double whammy as it was under water again yesterday owing to the heavy rainfall.
When Stabroek News visited some of the affected areas it was observed that water, on the street in some parts, rose to approximately 2 ft. Residents stoically went about their business, wearing galoshes or wading barefoot through the water in some cases. Those who did speak complained wearily about the constant flooding that causes damage to their properties.
