Heavy rainfall within the past 48 hours has resulted in flooding in six of the 10 administrative regions, with Region Seven being the worst hit, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) reported yesterday.
A release from the disaster risk management agency stated that water levels in Cuyuni/Mazaruni vary between seven feet to 20 feet. Torrential rain in the hinterland has resulted in swollen and overflowing rivers and channels.
Region Seven Chairman, Kenneth Williams, yesterday related that water levels have remained the same in the Middle Mazaruni district. However, he explained that from reports, water levels have been rising in the Eteringbang and Arrau villages.
Residents have reported that water levels have been rising rapidly as rainfall continues in the region. Stabroek News understands that water levels have been increasing in the river at the rate of between two and four feet every few hours.
CDC Public Relations Officer, Patrice Wishart, yesterday explained that they have been monitoring these affected districts in Region Seven. The agency has confirmed flooding in regions Two, Four, Five, Seven, Eight, and Nine, and is currently engaged in field assessments to accurately determine the number of houses impacted.
“Parts of Region Two are experiencing an average of 6 inches of floodwaters; regions Four and Five have an average of three inches of floodwater; Region Seven is currently experiencing rising river levels between 7 and 20 feet in some parts; Region Eight is now seeing receding water levels, and Region Nine has mild flooding around in the town of Lethem only,” Wishart informed in a statement yesterday afternoon.
Despite the flooding, there have been no reports of structural damage, no power outages due to flooding, and no shelters have been established to house persons, the CDC said. However, teams are working on relief supplies to be dispatched to any part of the country that is affected.
Asked about what assistance is being given to affected residents in Region Seven, the PRO stated that they are mobilizing resources.
He explained that they also have to map out the logistics of getting to the affected communities as flying to some areas is not an option due to the flooding. To this end he noted that it is 12 hours by boat to Eteringbang.
Stabroek News yesterday reported that food and water are in great demand as communities in the Upper and Middle Mazaruni battle devastating flooding from torrential rain over the last week.
At Pappy Show Landing, eight businesses are flooded with water levels at 8 to10 feet. There is a similar situation at Tamakay Landing and Martin Landing, where four businesses are inundated, while at Apaique Landing, 15 businesses are affected.
Communities such as Jawalla, Kamarang, Karo, Quebenang, Kangaruma, Waramadong and Phillipai in the Upper Mazaruni are all experiencing flooding at different levels. Farmlands in the indigenous communities are completely waterlogged.
Kamarang’s Toshao Lemuel Thomas related that several homes in his village have been flooded and families have relocated to public shelters in the village. It was also reported that in Jawalla some persons had to be relocated as a result of rising water levels.
In 2021, flooding in June left many persons including farmers counting their losses. That flood in Cuyuni/Mazaruni impacted food production and it is likely there will be a recurrence.
