Severe flooding yesterday forced several businesses and vendors operating at the Charity Market in Region Two to close earlier than usual.
These businesses are now counting their losses.
Monday is usually the traditional market day at Charity for Pomeroon River and Essequibo Coast farmers and other businesses. However, yesterday vendors were forced to abandon their businesses after they were inundated. One vendor, Savitrie Narine, said that the water started to accumulate in the market area after 20 minutes of rainfall. She said that the water quickly submerged the area. “The water was over two inches and people don’t want to walk in such a condition to come to buy, so it won’t make sense” Narine said.
An employee of the Xenon Bar said that the entire lower flat of the bar was flooded. The worker related that the business had to close due to the high levels of water. “All the customers had to go back, those staying upstairs had to stay up cause the water was close to two inches and quite uncomfortable,” the worker added.
Residents and vendors, who were interviewed, blamed the floods on poor drainage. Regional Vice Chairman, Humace Oodit said that two additional pumps were put into operation also to assist in draining off the water.
According to the Regional Vice Chairman, engineers and other Drainage and Irrigation workers are on site and conducting inspections in the flooded areas. He also said that sluices and pumps in other areas are currently in operation. Oodit rejected the contention that poor drainage was responsible for the flooding, he, however, said that vendors and residents are dumping garbage which is clogging the drains.
