Residents of Mahdia and the surrounding areas have been urged to be vigilant and prepare for further flooding after a flashflood covered swathes of the town yesterday morning.
Director General of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) Colonel Kester Craig told Stabroek News yesterday that they are currently monitoring the situation in Mahdia, Potaro-Siparuni (Region 8) after the flooding was reported by the Mahdia Town Council.
He said that initial investigations revealed that currently 25 homes have been affected and are in need of immediate relief.
“We have deployed a damage assessment team and we have also sent in some cleaning supplies to help persons clean their homes. The water right now is receding and persons are starting to move back into their homes. However, we have received communication that that one family is in need of some sheltering so once the team gets on the ground, we will make arrangements,” he related.
Craig said that the flooding was caused by torrential rainfall and earlier in the morning, most of the roadways were completely inundated by water. The water had invaded the bottom flats of homes, displacing many persons.
The damage assessment team will act on the information on the ground and (gather) additional intervention if needed, the official said, while emphasising that they will be closely monitoring the situation.
He also added that given the torrential rains, through the National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS), they are monitoring flood situations in various regions across the country including Aishalton and Sand Creek in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo region.
He said that the CDC is advising the public to take all the necessary precautions to protect against the imminent threat of flooding and also to remain alert and aware of the water levels and weather situation at all times.
Persons interested in reporting flooding can contact the CDC on 226 1114, 226 8815, 226 1027 or 225 5847, or contact the 24-hour NEMS hotline on 623 1700 and 600 7500.
