Floodwaters in the Mahaica River have reached record heights and continue to rise leaving residents distressed and worried. The water level is said to be the highest in years.
Just a week ago, farmers of Grass Hook and Big Biaboo, Mahaica River, had expressed concern over the rise in the floodwater as it posed a threat to the survival of their remaining crops and livestock.
A resident of Grass Hoop, Mahaica, Sugrim (only name given), told Stabroek News that water levels have risen to over three feet in residential dwelling areas and animals are dying daily while farms have been decimated.
Sugrim, who said he kept a record of the flooding in the Mahaica River since the Great Flood of 2005, said that the water level is now at its highest. In 2009, he said the water was at its highest but as of yesterday, the water has risen above the 2009 mark at his home.
“We don’t know what is happening here now because this water is high high. My kitchen is a bit high and now the water is almost at the door,” he related.
According to Sugrim, the water has slowly risen within the past week leaving many families worried over the state of their livelihoods.
Floodwater has also been rising in front lands of Big Baiboo and many residents yesterday voiced their concern to President Irfaan Ali during his visit to the community.
In a brief address, he announced that his government will embark on a comprehensive assessment to determine suitable ways to assist affected households.
“…our priority is to see all possible ways in which we can get the water off this land as quickly as possible…We know the medium and long term issues have to be dealt with and those issues include how we get back to the farm. The losses you have incurred and how the Government will help you to get back on your feet again,” he said.
Ali also told residents “We care about you, we care about your losses and we intend to take action to help you…. I am here to let you know that from the level of the Presidency itself that we are committed to helping, we are committed to working with you so that we can help you in the medium and long term also.”
Meanwhile, along the Abary River, livestock farmer A. Rampersaud said that they too have been subjected to rising water and he was forced to live out of the upper flat of his home.
“Look I move everything upstairs but I had to put up meh freezer because this water coming up every day and we don’t know where it coming from… the water big here man, it over we waist in the yards and till to we chest in the rice fields,” Rampersaud explained.
He stated that many of his livestock have died and in some instances been eaten by camoudi (anacondas) which have invaded since water levels have risen.
“All meh sheep and fowl ducking out here. The camoudi eating out meh ducks so I don’t know what else gon happen after dis. The water not going anywhere it just raising all the time,” he said.
The man, who remigrated several years ago said that according to his neighbours, this is the highest level of water in the area in years.
He pointed out that some of his neighbours attempted to save their crops and rice field but the earthen dams created on the perimeters of the farms were washed away.
“They take hymac [excavator] and try to save their farms but that couldn’t help to control the water, everything wash way and they lose money. It is millions people are losing here every day,” he lamented.
Rampersaud also complained that distribution of relief items to affected homes by the government has not been done fairly as some people who are most affected have not received any since it is difficult to reach them or in some instances they were not at home when the items were distributed.
Sugrim also echoed similar sentiments saying that when persons are out checking their farms and cattle, they are unable to receive any package.
“Some people are not around the same time they come to share hampers but they don’t leave it for them even if a family member say they are not at home. It is not fair for that to happen because everyone suffering here,” he said.
In the Mahaicony River, the situation remains the same, livestock farmer Paul Durga said yesterday. He explained that further up the river, many farmers are counting their lost cattle as the water levels are higher.
He noted that recently a farmer was attempting to relocate some of his cattle on a pontoon and they drowned. This, he said, has presented a new challenge to residents relying on the river water for domestic use as it has now become contaminated.
According to Durga many families are now purchasing water. During the Head of State’s visit to the community yesterday, he promised to have water distributed to families.
Region Four
Chairman of Region Four Daniel Seeram yesterday said that his council is currently monitoring flood damage along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway and the East Bank of Demerara.
He explained that floodwaters have washed way the main access road to St Cuthbert’s Mission, Laluni, and Kuru Kuru. As a result these communities are forced to use alternative routes for exit and entry. However, he informed that regional engineers are assessing the situation and are in the process of drafting a rehabilitation plan to repair the road.
Further, he stated that the community of Barnwell on the East Bank of Demerara is affected by flooding and many farmers’ cash crops are under water.
“It is a situation where the Ministry of Housing is doing some work in the area and there is a blockage. The minister [Collin Croal] was made aware of the issue and committed to have it rectified in 24 hours but that was not done,” Seeram said. Nonetheless, he iterated that they are monitoring the situation and intervening to provide support where they can.
