Unusual amounts of rainfall over the past 36 hours have left some 5,900 households impacted and several communities across Guyana flooded, Prime Minister Mark Phillips reported subsequent to a meeting with the Cabinet Ministerial Task Force on flooding.
Communities in regions Six, Five, Four, Three, Two, and One have experienced between two and six inches of rainfall which has resulted in water accumulating on land and causing discomfort to households.
Phillips yesterday explained that of the affected regions, the Pomeroon in Region two seems to be the most impacted and regional authorities are currently monitoring the region. However, he noted that the impacts of the flooding in regions One and Six are low.
Data from the Civil Defence Commission shows that in Mabaruma, Region One, there was 2 inches of rainfall while in Wauna White Water, the community recorded 3.8 inches of rainfall. Arpiaco Creek, in Region Two experienced 6 inches of rainfall while there was 4.3 inches of water in Capoey Lake. In Richmond Hill, Leguan, Region Three, there was 5.7 inches of rain and in De Kinderen Front there was 3.2 inches. On the East Coast of Demerara at Mon Repos there was 3.1 inches of rain while at Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara, Region Four, there was 3 inches of rainfall. The CDC data showed that in Bara Bara and Pine Ground, Region Five, rainfall was at 2.3 and 2 inches respectively.
While touching on measures put in place to alleviate the inundation across the country, Philips said that within the last 48 hours they have been engaged in intense monitoring of the operations of the pumps and sluices. While noting that the country is in a better position than it was when devastated by the May-June rains, he said that they have engaged in emergency works to repair all non-functioning pumps and sluices.
The Prime Minister said that approximately 90% of pumps manned by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority are operational and the remaining 10% will come on stream once repaired.
“Based on the reports coming out of our meeting… we are in a very good situation right now as it pertains to the operation of pumps, especially because we went through, from the last flooding to now, an exercise where many of the pumps were repaired. Of course, a few of them have some defects and may not be functioning, but those repairs are ongoing. We’re in a far better stage now than we were six months ago,” Phillips explained.
He however noted that while government is playing their part, residents are urged to take all necessary preventative measures to eliminate their chances of discomfort. He also told residents to engage themselves in preventative measures such as cleaning their drains and elevating their livestock and household appliances.
The Hydromet Office of Guyana has forecasted extensive rainfall within the next 24 hours. According to the Prime Minister, while they have been following the forecasted rains within the last two days, the rainfall experienced was more than what was predicted.
Rainfall compounded with high tides over the past few days have also caused flooding in some communities such as Georgetown. On Friday morning, many citizens awakened to flooded yards and roads across the city as a result of excess water and blockages in the drainage system.
Phillips pointed out that with strategic measures in place, they were able to prevent the situation from reoccurring today as pumps were in operation during the rainfall. He noted too that when the sluices were open during low tide, water drained swiftly. Pockets in the city remain flooded due to low lying lands and a clogged drainage system.
Director General of the Civil Defence Commission, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig stated that with the intensified rainfall, water is expected to accumulate for a short period of time.
He echoed the call for residents of flood-prone communities to engage in preventative measures and be alert during rainfalls.
Craig disclosed that they are currently collaborating with the NDIA to put preventative measures in place and limit the impacts of flooding. He said that the agency has teams across the country providing assistance even in areas where they are not mandated to function.
CDC’s Preparedness and Response Manager, Major Salim October said that buildings have already been identified if the need arises for shelters. He stated that they are working along with all local democratic bodies to assess the situation on the ground and to determine the level of attention it requires.
Throughout the course of yesterday, ministers Susan Rodrigues, Priya Manickchand, Deodat Indar, Anil Nandlall and others, were in communities inspecting the impact of the flooding across the regions.
President Irfaan Ali on Saturday activated a Cabinet-level Task Force to coordinate the response to the current rainy season and potential flood impacts across Guyana.
The Task Force is mandated to work in tandem with all local authorities to ensure that all response and mitigative systems are in place and functional. These systems will include, but are not limited to, all working sluices, kokers, and drainage systems. The aim, according to the President, is to make certain that there is a proactive and coordinated response to the current rainy season with the intent to safeguard livelihoods and property.
A CDC release informed that the Task Force comprises Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, as Chair, and authorities such as the Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Minister of Housing and Water, the CDC’s Director General, the Guyana Defence Force’s Chief of Staff, the National Security Advisor, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority’s Chairman, and the Chief Hydrometeorological Officer.
“Residents countrywide are advised to remain vigilant and take all necessary flood precautions,” the release added, while urging the reporting of flood impacts to local authorities or the National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) on 600-7500 at any time.
