Over 2,000 residents living in the Upper and Lower Pomeroon River in Region Two are currently inundated due to the high rainfall the area experienced over the past seven days.
This has also severely affected the livelihoods of farmers in the riverain communities.
Region Two Chairperson Vilma De Silva described the situation as “sad,” alluding to the fact that farmers were re-entering their fields after the flooding in May. De Silva said that she visited all the communities in the Upper and Lower Pomeroon and observed water gushing into residents’ homes. The Regional Administration, she said, had to evacuate eight families from the St Monica/Karawab areas to higher ground. They are currently housed at the ‘longhouse’ while others have been given accommodation by relatives living on higher ground. De Silva said that all the crops are currently “gone” and only coconut plants can be seen.
The Regional Chairperson said that the Pomeroon River mouth is also heavily silted and this compounded by the heavy rainfall has caused the flooding. Due to the silt build-up, the self-activating koker is not working.
She noted that the St Monica/Karawab community has been severely affected while many farmers have lost banana and citrus trees to the flooding.
And to make matters worse, many households are still using “latrines” which is of great concern to the Administration. The Regional Administration through the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) yesterday distributed cleaning agents as well as 150 food hampers to the St Monica communities.
A team is also on the ground conducting an assessment.
Meanwhile, farmers in Jacklow who spoke with Stabroek News related that their crops were in various stages of growth and thriving. They related that they were now getting back on their feet after the recent flooding and now are discouraged.
“All the suckers, plantains, and avocados are under water, every time we try to catch we hand is the same thing over and over again, we really need help,” farmer Gildharie said.
Another farmer said he had pumpkins and watermelon plants and all have been submerged. They were forced to move their electrical appliances to higher ground after the water invaded their homes. Many of them had to wake up as early as 2 in the morning to move their appliances to higher places. Their homes have been inundated for two days now. Also, livestock and sheep are standing in two feet of water
The flooding is as a result of continuous rainfall in the region compounded with overtopping from the Pomeroon River. The residents have expressed fears over the upcoming high tides.
