With “above normal rainfall” forecast over the next few weeks, Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha has advised the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to monitor drainage operations in Georgetown, which was flooded in several sections yesterday.
Mustapha issued the directive after visiting several flooded areas with technical officers from the ministry after persistent rainfall, which began late on Thursday night and continued yesterday.
In a statement, the ministry said Mustapha also called on the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, which has the primary responsibility for the city’s drainage structure, to ensure these critical structures are managed effectively.
Mustapha was informed by residents in some of the flooded areas that some of the sluices were opened, which resulted in flooding in several parts of the City.
Mustapha also discovered that the sluice located at River View, Ruimveldt, was not operating at its full capacity. After instructing the operators to open the doors Minister Mustapha noticed a major difference in the structure’s drainage capacity, the statement said.
This newspaper observed many sections of the city, including Central Georgetown, Ruimvedlt and Sophia, were flooded during the morning hours due to the heavy rainfall.
In addition there were also reports of flooding at Eccles, Republic Park and Providence, along the East Bank of Demerara. This newspaper observed that the water began receding during the afternoon hours.
Region Three Chairman Ayube Inshan told this newspaper that there was flooding in the region but that the sluices were operational. He said that the canals were clean and the sluices are working and therefore there shouldn’t be significant flooding.
Region Five Chairman Vickchand Ramphal told this newspaper that there was some flooding and the vulnerable communities were being monitored. He added that the tide had passed and that the water had started receding. Ramphal also said that cultivation areas were not badly affected.
The Hydrometeorological Service on Wednesday reported that there was a “high chance” of above-normal rainfall conditions across all Administrative Regions for the period December, 2021 to January, 2022 and possibly into early February 2022.
“As the season progresses, water levels in conservancies, reservoirs and inland rivers in Regions 1 to 6 (north), 7 and 10 are expected reach maximum capacity. Flooding in Regions 1 to 5, 7, 10, northern 6 and 8 as a result of persistent rain is of concern during the forecast period; therefore, drainage intervention is highly recommended where and when possible,” it said.
The above normal rainfall outlook this season is being driven by the strong likelihood of a La Nina (85% confidence) phase continuing through the first quarter of 2022.
