Public Relations Officer of the Civil Defence Com-mission (CDC), Patrice Wishart, yesterday told Stabroek News that all kokers and pumps in the city are now operational, including the Princes Street pump which had been down for two days.
Wishart was at the time providing an update on the impact of the torrential rainfall over the last two days. According to Wishart, Region 4 was impacted by flooding. However most of water had receded, and only a few areas remained under water. He noted that engineers assigned by the National Drainage and irrigation Authority (NDIA) are monitoring all pumps and kokers to ensure that all drains and canals are drained of excess water at every possible opportunity.
Regions 2, 3, and 5 are continuously being monitored, Wishart said. And though there has been no confirmed report of flooding or overtopping thus far in Region 5, the CDC was nevertheless alerted to water levels rising in the rivers, creeks and canals. He reported flooding in Charity. He added that all sluices and pumps in the Charity area are operational and are being monitored by rangers from the NDC. Also, the regional authorities are working to ensure that all canals are cleared daily.
In Region 3, flooding was reported in Canals Number One and Two. Currently, the NDIA and the Canals’ Water Users Association are mechanically cleaning both canals. The same team is trying to release accumulated water off of the main access road to nearby drains, so access to the roads remain unhindered.
Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor of Georgetown, Alfred Mentore, and a team including the Town Clerk, Candace Nelson, the City Engineer, Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha and a team from the NDIA, visited all the pumps, including the one on Princes Street. At that time, Mentore noted that the tide was low, hence there was no need for the pumps to be operational.
The Hydrometeorological Department’s Facebook page forecast heavy rainfall from yesterday, November 24 to Saturday November 26, 2022, with above normal high tides leading to flash floods occurring in low lying areas. The page stated that persons are advised to take all necessary precautions. And the CDC Facebook page yesterday cited the Hydrometeorological Office’s prediction of frequent and continuous thundershowers countrywide. Rainfall is expected to measure between 2 to 4 inches. Also, the above normal high tide advisory will be in effect until November 28. As such, over-topping of river and sea defences in vulnerable areas can be expected in flood prone and low-lying areas.
The CDC strongly urges all residents to take every precaution necessary, and to report all impacts to local authorities or the National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) on 600-7500 or 226-1114 at any time.
