Although there has been persistent rainfall over the past two weeks, the Rupununi is not out of the woods as yet, Regional Executive Officer Carl Parker said yesterday.
Rain returned to the drought-stricken Rupununi about two weeks ago, Parker stated and has shown no sign of easing off, marking the end of the second worst drought to hit the Rupununi since 1988.
He explained that the water is now flowing in the creeks and the water table is being raised, however, the Rupununi is not yet out of the woods.
At this point of time, the sourcing of water is not a problem but with the rising water table, shallow wells stand the chance of being contaminated by the surface water, thus posing potential health risks to residents who use well water for drinking purposes.
Parker explained that because of this, the Regional Health Officer and his staff will be conducting a massive medical outreach in the South Rupununi to distribute tablets and educate residents on water sterilization to prevent the occurrence of sicknesses such as gastroenteritis.
Additionally, the region’s food stocks will also be monitored by the Regional Democratic Council and the Emergency Response Centre of the CDC to ensure that food supply in the varying communities across the region remain sufficient.
It is also expected that the continuous rainfall will cause some deterioration to the roads along the Georgetown-Lethem route and these are being monitored. Feedback will be sent to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure as the need arises.
Nevertheless, the REO stated that the drilling of the wells is still ongoing. So far approximately five wells have been completed, but work is currently on pause as a result of some damage that was done to the rig that is used to drill these wells. However, Parker said, the contractor has since ordered the part needed and drilling will recommence as soon as it arrives from neighbouring Brazil.
Parker noted that RDC has recently held a meeting with personnel from the Ministry of Finance to discuss the reimbursement of close to $15 million of the RDC’s budget to cover costs of transportation of supplies, water and fuel during El Nino.
He explained that it is important for the money to be reimbursed, since the amount expended had been budgeted for other developmental projects in the region.
