Prolonged heavy rainfall yesterday resulted in flooding in Georgetown and across several coastal regions. Thus far four regions have reported flooding especially in low-lying areas.
Flooding in Georgetown led to the closure of many schools and businesses in the city. Mayor Ubraj Narine told Stabroek News that the city was flooded as a result of the heavy rainfall and blockages along many drains. He added that the concrete drains cannot accommodate the quantum of water that gathered and the dimensions do not satisfy the criteria outlined by the engineers.
The city and the government have tussled over responsibility for drainage in the city. This has resulted in the state’s National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) taking the major responsibility for drainage in the city.
Narine stressed that the council has limited resources and finances available to alleviate the flooding which the municipality would usually experience regularly as a result of heavy rainfall. A team from the solid waste management and the engineer’s department was dispatched to several parts of Georgetown and noted that all pumps are operational while the sluices were operating depending on the tide.
The mayor acknowledged that flooding in and around Georgetown has been a problem for many years and as a growing economy, issues of this nature must be prioritized. He added that the developments around the country must include proper systems that will curb the issue given the vast available resources. The Mayor and City Council, Ministry of Public Works and the NDIA must work together to solve the issue, Narine asserted.
Region Four Chairman, Daniel Seeram, told Stabroek News yesterday that reports of flooding were received from various parts of the region especially the low-lying areas. Seeram stated that as a result of the tides they are unable to drain the water as quickly as possible. However all pumps are operational and the low- lying areas reported an increased amount of water. Seeram said that more work needs to be done on drainage and irrigation in the Demerara/Mahaica region. Scheduled maintenance and cleaning of drains have been carried out within the month. He added that the region needs resources and finances to execute their duties. The central government, he opined, is withholding finances and as such it appears as though the region is incompetent as it relates to their duties. Seeram said he is not casting blame on anyone but he believe in solutions and recommendations so that the issues do not repeat themselves. “I am not pointing fingers, but this is what I think should happen so that the issue don’t repeat itself.”
Region Five Chairman, Vickchand Ramphal told this newspaper that a team has been monitoring the water. A lot of water has accumulated on land but residents were not seriously affected. He said that the water has been receding gradually via the sluices.
Parika Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) chairman, Jaideo Sookhoo, meanwhile stated that there have been reports of rising water levels in drains which have overflowed onto roadways and into yards. However, so far residents have not reported any household impact. A team is on the ground monitoring the sluices and pump stations. Additionally Region Three engineer, Vorn Solomon, stated that several areas across the region reported flooding but a team is on the ground monitoring the situation.
Meanwhile, the NDIA said that the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has received several reports of flood impacts along the country’s coastland over the past 10 hours. Regions Three and Four (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara and Demerara/Mahaica respectively) are significantly affected with an average of four inches of floodwater in many places.
Wakenaam and Leguan in the Essequibo River, and Parika and Vergenoegen on the Eastern Bank of the Essequibo River have reported rising water levels in trenches and drains. That resulted in overtopping onto roadways and into the Parika Market area. Residents in the communities have not reported any household impacts and the authorities on the ground have indicated that all kokers and sluices are currently operational. Along the Western Coast of Demerara, areas such as Stewartville; Hague; and Pouderoyen have reported flooding in many residential streets due to the heavy rainfall. At the time of this report no water has seeped into houses. Drainage measures are in place in several communities in the region and authorities will continue to monitor the developing situation.
In Region Four, the city of Georgetown reported flooding in many areas. At around midday yesterday, Stabroek News visited several areas and spoke to some of the residents who voiced their concerns, some of whom could be observed setting up sandbags to prevent the floodwater from entering their homes. Children were seen returning home from school early, wading through water with their footwear in hand, while some vehicles broke down and were stranded along the roadways, presumably because of having to drive through deep water.
One resident of Albouystown told Stabroek News: “We are sick and tired of this, every time lil rain fall, the streets flooding out and the water reaching in my bottom house. It is very unsafe and unhealthy because I have lil children living with me, the government need to do better than this because it is fatiguing.”
The Better Hope/LBI communities have also reported flooding. Additionally, there has been a report of a High Wind Impact along Carifesta Avenue in Georgetown but no injury was reported. The CDC says it has liaised with the City Engineer’s Department of the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown to rectify any issues.
The CDC is urging all residents to take the necessary precautions during this time and to report all impacts to local authorities or the National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) on 600-7500 at any time. (Shuntel Glasgow and Aaliyah McFarlane)
