Hundreds of residents of Bartica, Region 7 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) were severely affected by flooding yesterday afternoon caused by heavy rainfall.
The flooding was described as the worst experienced in recent years.
In a telephone interview with Stabroek News, Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall said that as of yesterday afternoon, water was beginning to recede in some areas.
However, he explained that the highest of the spring tide was expected between 5-6pm yesterday and the water was likely to rise again.
“We are experiencing the high tide but there is no report at this moment that (that) would have contributed,” Marshall said.
He added that all the pumps and kokers in the district are functioning.
Stabroek News spoke with a number of residents who related that they were forced to seek alternative shelter due to the level of the water.
Many said they suffered major losses.
“I suffered tremendous, tremendous amount of losses. Property, equipment, document. Right now business have to close until further notice,” businessman Winston Miller said.
Miller, who owns and operates the Sunset Boulevard Restaurant and bar at 4th Avenue Bartica said he had no time to prepare or even save any valuables.
“Rain was falling. Well at my place, I notice water raising in the drain outside and it made one pull and start rushing into the building. You know like a semi tsunami. So there wasn’t no sort of time to save anything,” he related.
According to Miller, business owners were already finding it hard to cope due to the pandemic and now this.
“It’s devastating. I cannot tell exactly what my losses is but I know it’s severe and it’s amounting to a lot. And we already struggling due to the pandemic and the curfew, so now this is a heavy blow right now. We don’t know if we will bounce back after this because we were still hanging on hoping that the COVID will come under control,” Miller explained.
Meanwhile, John Mitchell, a resident of First Avenue, Bartica said there is a need for the drains to be cleared. He believes that the “clogged” drains in the area contributed to the flooding.
“The drains need to be cleared in this area. The drains along the road, it need to be cleared”, Mitchell said.
Mitchell said he has been living in Bartica for over a decade. “Since I am living here about 12 years now nothing has been done with the drains. That also contribute to the water backing up in my yard,” he noted.
Another resident, who wished not to be named, said that water was about knee high in most areas yesterday afternoon.
“….The water high right now. Presently water getting higher…..We having more high tide tonight and the water supposed to get more high,” the woman said.
