Heavy rainfall in the Deep South Rupununi has left the district isolated from the rest of the region as water levels in rivers continue to rise.
Regional Chairman Bryan Allicock told Stabroek News yesterday that the Deep South has been experiencing continuous, heavy rainfall beginning on Wednesday, leaving the communities in those districts completely inaccessible. He disclosed that the Region has a number of relief items to deliver to those affected by the flooding but it is now impossible to do so because of the high water levels.
He noted that it is a worrying situation with the Takutu, Rupununi, Essequibo and Ireng rivers expected to rise even higher during the next few days as a result of rainfall in Brazil. It usually takes days before the water levels in these rivers drop. At least two indigenous communities in the Deep South are situated close to these rivers.
According to Allicock, Bashaizon and Masakenari have faced the brunt of the flooding in the Deep South with the majority of the farms belonging to residents completely destroyed. Located some distance away from the other Deep South communities, he said, it will be difficult to get relief items to those communities as they can only be accessed through land.
Meanwhile, in the South Pakaraimas, the main road and bridges on the Karasabai to Lethem trail is completely inundated with water levels as high as ten feet above one of the bridges. This was also due to heavy rainfall experienced on Wednesday night.
Over 6,000 households have been affected by severe flooding in Region Nine. Many of the affected communities are located close to rivers. According to the Civil Defence Commission, thousands of farms and livestock in this region have been destroyed by the flooding.
Allicock noted that floodwater has receded in Lethem but they are expecting it to rise once the Rio Branco flows into the Ireng and Takutu. However, he said, those who live close to the riverbanks are prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
Meanwhile, he revealed that COVID-19 cases are rapidly rising. There are currently 268 active cases within the region and more than 200 persons in quarantine. Allicock disclosed that over the last few days, there was a surge in cases within Lethem and St Ignatius.
According to Allicock, there is also an outbreak of dengue while there are reports that Rukumutu in the north is currently facing a malaria outbreak.
