The Ministry of Agriculture today issued a warning over possible severe weather.
The advisory follows:
The Ministry of Agriculture’s Hydromet Department is currently monitoring a weather pattern over the Atlantic. This weather pattern if persist can see Regions 2 to 4 and Northern Region 6 being faced with rainfall up to 50mm overnight.
As is known, the country’s drainage system is not designed to withstand such a high amount of water accumulation, and as such, should the weather pattern continue; some communities can face water accumulation and flooding.
This situation is presently being monitored by all relevant stakeholders, and an emergency D&I team is also on standby to ensure that the situation remains under control.
Measures taken thus far:
National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA):
1. Monitoring of ALL emergency drainage structures to ensure they are functional.
2. Ensure Koker operators open and close sluice doors on time
3. Ensure that all equipment is functional in the event of
emergency works
4. Cleaning of canals, and drainage structures through
collaboration with the Regional Bodies
IMPORTANT:
– There is a 70% chance that the rainfall predicted above will occur
– There is a 30% chance that the rainfall will decrease (below 50mm)
HIGH TIDES:
The spring tide will be in effect until February 05, 2014. Residents of riverain, coastal and low lying areas are advised to exercise precautionary measures against possible flooding due to above normal high tides.
Forecast, Friday, January 31, (evening) to Thursday, February 06, 2014 (day)
Tonight and tomorrow, cloudy to overcast conditions with occasional showers and intermittent rain expected over regions 2 to 5, north of region 6 and over region 7, and elsewhere cloudy conditions with scattered showers expected. Rainfall expected to range between 5.0 to 45.0 mm regions 2 to 5, north of region 6 and over region 7, elsewhere 0.1 to 15.0 mm. Occasional moderate to heavy wind gusts are expected over regions 2 to 5, north of region 6 and over region 7. Highest rainfall amounts are expected over region 2 to 4 & 7. Sunday cloudy conditions with scattered showers expected over coastal regions, elsewhere partly cloudy with isolated showers. Monday and the remainder of the forecast period mainly fair conditions interrupted by brief showers expected across Guyana. Rainfall expected to range between 0.1 to 10.0 mm within a 24hr period.
