Dear Editor,
How is it that Guyanese are never forewarned about increased and prolonged rainfall that will have a severe impact on their lives? Why is it that dozens of schools, businesses, workplaces and much of the city had to be under water, with lives disrupted, commerce affected, drainage structures overburdened, until we hear from the weather service?
How is it that these (poor) reporting mechanisms exist in the manner they do, especially after the instalment of the sophisticated Doppler radar and computer-related equipment? This reactive attitude of the Ministry of Agriculture’s National Weather Watch Centre at Timehri is most unacceptable. They exist to warn the population and give advice, especially when severe weather—which is a once-in-a-while-event—in Guyana is about to happen!
They defeat the purpose of the weather-reporting process. They must have their work (and priorities) all mixed up. Weather reporting should take place prior to, not after the entire coastland and city of Georgetown have been inundated with over five inches of rainfall in 24 hours.
They are always like Johnny-come-lately, issuing statements and reports well after the disaster has struck, when we know the obvious and don’t really need information any more.
Yours faithfully,
Leon Suseran
