Dear Editor,
I must admit, that over the years, I’ve always disregarded the weather forecast from our local hydro-meteorological service in Guyana. I’ve never depended on them for accurate weather forecasts, and just for clarity, more than once I checked their forecast, and their predictions are contrary to what Mother Nature decides. Many others will also admit to this. They would give you an advisory against future rain or high tides, and at the predicted time, nothing of the sort. I’ve never heard of them warning of heavy rainfall, or extremely high tides, and it occurring. They would be bang on target when something happens, and they would say that we should expect more and take precautionary measures when disaster has already struck. Monday 27th December, we experienced heavy rainfall, and low and behold, Tuesday’s advisory in the media said that we should expect more heavy rainfalls and thunderstorms. Whilst they were saying to also expect more flooding, I’m at a little lost to hear them saying that we should expect more thunderstorms. Throughout Monday, I didn’t hear any thunder, so where in Guyana did they hear thunder? Tuesday, I didn’t hear any either to the time I was penning this letter. Government should recognize that Climate Change keeps happening, and to keep abreast, they should seek to obtain better equipment to enable better monitoring/reading of the weather, and also invest in more training for the meteorologists.
Editor, climate change is happening across the world, and, as a result, tremendous damages are being caused, along with loss of lives in some cases. Few countries could avoid major disasters, either because they prepared for such, or, there is a system in place to avert disasters long before they happen. In Guyana’s case, when disasters strike, those responsible starts scrambling, even though they are being paid a whole year to be prepared. Koker/pump attendants not on work, drunk, pump not working, no time to turn it on, etc. Most koker/pump attendants got employed because they are retired/pensioners, or by relationship/friendship. I’m highly doubtful they get any sort of training for their job, even though it may not seem that much of a deal. A lot of responsibilities lie in their performances of their jobs, and measurements should be in place for better monitoring and communication. I know of koker operators who don’t have a cellphone but yet open kokers at the predicted times. When there’s heavy rainfall, even at low tides, based on the level, they open the kokers.
Finally, Editor, our drainage systems throughout Georgetown and its environs, some parts of Berbice and Essequibo and many other areas remains the same, even though there’s constant flooding. Sadly, the engineers we have cannot come up with a solution. Our Government seems quite comfortable with this situation because every time a situation arises, it allows them to don their long boots, invite the media to follow them, and start visiting the locations where kokers/pumps are and issuing instructions. Not only is it laughable, but it is also time-consuming. Should they have a proper system in place, with a center set up with a proper communication system, they could have an engineer in constant communication with the operators, monitoring the water levels, etc., and giving instructions. Our leaders don’t have that type of vision. Cheers to health, happiness, and prosperity in 2022!
Sincerely,
Sahadeo Bates
