Officials in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Region are urging residents to brace themselves for more rainfall and possible flooding.
The Regional Chairman of Region Nine, Bryan Allicock, told Stabroek News via telephone yesterday that over the past few days torrential rains have lifted the river well above flood stage causing a section of Lethem to be inundated. He noted that other areas in the Region were also flooded.
However, he added, despite Tuesday night’s downpour, floodwaters in Lethem and other areas are receding although some areas still remain underwater. Residents informed that the affected areas are flooded yearly due to the rainy season.
Allicock added that roads linking Georgetown to Lethem have been severely affected but vehicles are still using the roads with little incident. Further, he said, they are hoping that the Manari bypass would be repaired by this weekend but this is unlikely as the Rupununi is in the midst of the rainy season. Residents also disclosed that roads connecting Lethem to other communities are being cut off by floodwaters and those roads are also in poor condition making travelling difficult.
He added that farmers across the region have also been affected and have reported that their crops, especially the cassava, are rotting after being underwater for a few days.
In this regard, Allicock stated that regional officials are monitoring the situation and will assist wherever necessary. “For now, only farmers are being affected in the region because the water has reached their farms and that is where we are concentrating now because the famers are trying to salvage their crops.”
Meanwhile, Allicock is urging residents to brace for more rainfall and possible major flooding. He noted that Brazilian towns close to the Rio Branco have been experiencing heavy rainfall.
Stabroek News understands that Boa Vista, a Brazilian town about 133 kilometres from Lethem situated on the bank of the Rio Branco, is currently flooded as a result of heavy rainfall and overflowing of the river, which flows into the Takutu River, one of its main tributaries.
“We have to prepare for possible flooding and start preparing flood relief supplies. Even if the rains eased in the region, possible flooding will remain a threat because in Brazil, they are experiencing flooding and when they get a back flow we would be affected here even though we might not be getting rain but the backflow from Rio Branco into the Takatu and Ireng [Rivers]. That is what we have to look at now so we are monitoring the weather pattern in Brazil,” Allicock stated.
The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) yesterday said that at this time, Region Nine is severely affected with flooding in several communities and several others are on the watch list for possible evacuation.
The CDC reported Town Clerk of Lethem, Keisha Vincent as saying that the level of the Takutu River is rapidly increasing and has inundated the bridge between Lethem and the Tabatinga Housing Scheme. She said that the floodwater in the village is estimated to be between four to five feet high and 15 households have been directly affected.
Further, the Lethem to Hiawa Village road and the surroundings of the Lethem Market have been submerged and residents of Mango Grove are on standby to be evacuated if floodwaters continue to rise.
Additionally, the inundation of the Manari Bridge has resulted in large vehicles being denied entry to Lethem until the water recedes, while small trucks and pedestrians are being asked to detour.
