Former President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday called on the government to keep a close watch on the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) following yesterday’s heavy rain.
In a statement last night, Jagdeo said that the EDWC is reported to be above 57 GD level, as well as the Boerasirie Conservancy. He said that the Mahaica and Mahaicony Creeks, Pomeroon River and other inland areas, should also receive attention, since backwater flows can result in downstream flooding.
The compromising of the EDWC was said to be one of the key factors behind the 2005 Great Flood. To relieve emergencies at the EDWC, the Good Hope canal was built on the East Coast.
Reports from an initial ‘on the ground’ assessment on the effects of heavy rainfall that occurred over the past 12 hours have been made available to Jagdeo, the statement said.
Jagdeo said that there has been flooding in residential and agricultural areas of Regions 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
The Opposition Leader also voiced concern over the widespread flooding in Georgetown, with many homes and businesses severely affected in South Georgetown, Cummingsburg, Alberttown, Bel Air, Newtown Kitty, Regent Street, Main Street and Turkeyen.
His statement added that coastal villages areas such as Lima, sections of Henrietta and Hampton Court, Capoey, Land of Plenty in Region 2; Canals Polder, Region 3; and residential and agricultural areas of Anns Grove/Two Friends, Cane Grove, Good Hope, Mon Repos, Lusignan, Foulis within Region 4 are also affected by floodwaters.
The Opposition Leader has since spoken to the Chairpersons of Regions 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 9 about the flood situation.
He is calling on the Government of Guyana to implement every measure necessary, to bring immediate relief to those affected, by ensuring that steps are taken to minimize damages and losses to property, livestock and agricultural crops.
The Opposition Leader noted that the defective sluices and silted outfall channels in drainage polders such as Capoey, Coizer, Three Friends, Letter Kenny and Borlam must be urgently addressed and made operational.
