The number of people affected by flooding in Region Seven is increasing daily, according to its Chairman Kenneth Williams, who noted that the situation has significantly worsened over the past 24 hours as persons are now being forced to evacuate their homes due to rising water levels.
Days of torrential downpours have caused rivers and creeks to overflow in the hinterland regions and have left homes, farms, shops, and mining pits, located close to a river or creek, inundated. According to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), over 6,000 persons have been affected countrywide. Assessments for regions seven and eight are yet to be conducted.
During an interview with Stabroek News yesterday, Williams said that an extensive assessment of the regional flooding situation is yet to be conducted but they have been receiving reports from some village councils detailing the situation in their respective communities. In Isseneru, he said, the situation has significantly worsened with at least two families being forced to evacuate their homes. They are currently being sheltered at the community’s Health Centre.
The flooding in this area is caused by the overtopping of Olive Creek as a result of heavy rains during the past few days. Also affected in Middle Mazaruni, is the community of Kangaruma where persons were also forced to evacuate their homes. According to Williams, the two houses are completely submerged and the water level is rising. He noted that this new development occurred yesterday morning.
He quoted the Toshao as saying, “The residents are getting worried. Eighty per cent of farmlands are flooded and we are still counting. Therefore on behalf of residents of Kangaruma we are requesting assistance.”
In the Upper Mazaruni, Kamarang, Jawalla, and Warawatta are facing the full brunt of continuous rains and rising rivers, some 47 households in Jawalla are currently under water with one house having already collapsed, displacing several persons.
Some 58 farms are inundated in Kamarang and Warawatta.
Williams noted that the number is much higher, stressing that extensive assessments are yet to be done especially in the Upper Mazaruni area. Much closer to Bartica, houses on Devil Hole and its surrounding islands are completely submerged. Williams said these areas are mainly homes to businesses so mostly businesspersons are affected in this area.
Before yesterday, there had been no evacuation of persons in Region Seven. Williams stated that the number of persons affected is increasing daily because of the continuous rain and rising water levels. He disclosed that the CDC yesterday donated over 300 hampers to the RDC and distribution of these will commence today. He opined that this will bring some amount of temporary relief to residents who are affected.
“I am asking that residents understand that the Regional Democratic Council has been working tirelessly to assess the current situation and bring relief to affected residents. This historic high tide coupled with unrelenting rainfall have affected many hardworking families, businesses, farmlands and houses. As chairman I vow to use every method available to assist our citizens in these difficult times. We have just received over 300 hampers and distribution will begin shortly. I am also asking that residents follow the guidelines which indicate that you should seek high ground cognizant of the fact that mudslides are imminent in certain areas,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, in Region Eight, according to the Regional Executive Officer Peter Ramotar, the flooding situation remains unchanged and rain continues to pour heavily in the region, especially in Mahdia. He informed that the Potaro River’s water levels remain more or less the same and expressed fear that this will continue.
Like Williams, he said that extensive assessment of the situation is yet to be conducted and this is being delayed by bad weather as some parts of the roads are completely flooded. He noted that the CDC is currently gearing up to do some assessments.
In Region One, according to Chairman Brentnol Ashley the flooding situation remains unchanged and assessments are still ongoing. Some 30 communities located close to a river or creek have been inundated. He noted that compared to other regions, the situation in Region One is stable but this can change soon with rains still continuing to pour in the area.
Thousands across Guyana have been severely affected as a result of flooding. High tides and torrential rains coupled with overtopping rivers and creeks have left multiple communities across the country inundated with rising water levels, in some cases, covering the rooftops of several houses. Many families have been forced to evacuate and are presently being housed in temporary shelters or in the homes of families and friends in areas where shelters are not available. Livestock and crops have all been affected with hundreds of farms in hinterland regions under water.
