The Ministry of Agriculture last night said that the latest weather data leads it to believe that coastal areas of Guyana particularly Regions 1 to 4 might experience heavy showers during the next 24 hours.
It said that some areas might experience rainfall between 80mm to 100 mm during that 24 hour period.
“Please take necessary precautionary measures with dealing with possible flooding in certain low lying areas. Heaviest rainfall is expected over Regions 1 to 4”, the release said.
There has been heavy rainfall in Georgetown this morning. In recent months, the Ministry of Agriculture has been criticized for the paucity of information from its meteorological department on likely severe weather. This was particularly so on November 27 last year. Critics have said that its Doppler radar should be giving regular updates on severe weather which is at least four hours away.
The following advisory was issued at 5 pm.
Ministry of Agriculture
Weather Update # 3
5pm
The Ministry of Agriculture wishes to advise the Public that for the next four (4) hours the country can expect moderate to heavy downpours. While the Hydromet Office has predicted a break in extreme weather pattern at 17:00hrs (5pm), heavy downpours can be expected from 19:00hrs (7pm).
This weather pattern expects rain at a range of 20-40 mm along the Coast for the evening.
Expected conditions
Regions 1 to 6, 7 and 10 can expect moderate showers and heavy downpours at times, while other regions can expect light to moderate showers.
Residents in Coastal, Riverin and low-lying areas are advised to take the precautionary measures against possible flooding.
NDIA UPDATE:
The heavy downpour saw Water accumulation been recorded in several areas in Regions’ 2, 3 and 4. Among the areas affected are:
Region 2:
* Pomeroon, particularly Lillydale, Marlboro, Martindale, parts of Jacklow, David James Scheme, Parts of Charity Housing Scheme and farmlands along the bank of Dredge Creek have been affected;
* Also, along the coast, Henrietta is affected only in low housing areas.
Region 3:
* Minor accumulation of water has been reported in low areas and drainage channels in Tuschen Housing Scheme, and low farmlands of Bagotsville, Parika Back, and Vergenoegen;
* Pontoon has been deployed to dredge Vergenoegen Outfall;
* Water levels in drainage system are reported to be high in Parika/Ruby, Vergenoegen, Blankenburg, Windsor Forest, Vreed-en-Hoop to Patentia including Canals’ Polder, La Retriate, Chantilly and Sambatch.
Region 4:
* Water levels in drainage system are reported to be high in in Georgetown, Montrose, Lusignan, Enmore, Hope, Greenfield and Huntley, Cane Grove. Also, high water levels are reported in drainage system of Friendship, Garden of Eden and Craig on EBD.
Georgetown
* 11 Sluices that discharge drainage water into the Demerara River are operational
* Three of the five pumps discharging into the Demerara River are working. Pumps are located at :
* Riverview – Operational
* Princess Street – Operational
* Forestry – Operational
* JP Santos – Not Operable
* Lamaha Street – Not Operable
* Also Pumps located at Kitty and Liliendaal are Operational
Areas affected by flood waters are:
Bel Air, North and South Ruimveldt, East Ruimveldt, Newtown Kitty, Parts of Albertown, Queenstown, Campbellville, Sections of Sophia and Cummings Lodge, La Penitence, Bourda and Tucville.
Tidal Conditions
Drainage Sluices were closed as of 12:00hrs today due to high tide which will be at 2.78m at 3:25 pm. The Next low tide will be at 9:47 PM at a height of 0.64M at which time gravity drainage via sluices will be in effect optimally.
However, given the fact that the tide is now high and water from the backlands will be draining off, water accumulation can be expected in areas where there are no pumps stationed. Several communities on the East Coast of Demerara can be affected.