By Subhana Shiwmangal
Heavy rainfall, compounded by blocked drainage canals, caused several areas in Georgetown to flood yesterday morning.
Deputy Mayor Alfred Mentore told Stabroek News yesterday that some of the areas which were previously largely unaffected by flooding were now being affected. One of those areas, he said, was Campbellville. Based on research into the cause of flooding in Georgetown, he said, he found construction waste in Lamaha Street and along Vlissingen Road to be a contributory factor.
Mentore explained that contractors on Lamaha Street had blocked the major exit point by leaving casting materials in the area leading to the culvert. As such, he said, the water was unable to drain. Some of the blocked exit points included those at Vlissingen Road, Republic Street, and De Abreu Street. Mentore said he had to send someone into the drains to remove the casting materials.
Meanwhile, Region Four Chairman Daniel Seeram said the administration was coordinating with national, regional, and municipal engineers to see where the blockages were.
Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha said that about three inches of water covered some areas in Georgetown because of the high intensity of rainfall yesterday. He added that by yesterday afternoon the majority of areas in Georgetown had drained. However, he said, he has asked the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) engineers to continue to assist with the monitoring of the sluices and for contractors not to block the way of drainage.
He said that according to the advice from the Hydromet Office the rainfall should have reduced by this morning. In relation to contractors leaving casting materials behind and blocking the drains, he said if that was so, something would have to be done about it.
Mustapha, who walked about in East, West and North Ruimveldt said that massive NDIA work was needed in the internal drainage canals. He said he had assured the residents of those areas that the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Public Works would collaborate to have major work done because the Mayor and City Council had not been cleaning the canals.
Stabroek News yesterday morning visited some flooded areas in Region Four and spoke to affected residents.
In East Ruimveldt, Shonna Alphonso, a 39-year-old vendor told this newspaper that the flooding on the Front road affects a lot of people in the area. She said that it floods every time it rains and as a result people traversing the area are at a disadvantage. “Yes, the government have contractors building the walkways and cleaning the area but what I find is that the government is not coming around to check on the work being done by the contractor in the area,” Aphonso said. She added that the contractors were not removing the debris from the drainage canal like they should and because of that the water accumulates in the drainage canal. “The government should work on putting measures in place for proper drainage in the area because every time rain falls, the roadways, yards and other areas flood tremendously,” she added.
In First Street, Alexander Village, Patricia (only name given) said that flooding has been a problem for many years whenever it rains. She opined that the government needs to implement proper drainage in the area so the water can flow smoothly.
Mohammed Jameer said that as a result of the rain, his yard and the lower flat of his home was flooded with about 3 inches of water. The flooding has destroyed his sofa and refrigerator. Jameer contended that he doesn’t blame the government for the flooding, but they should look into the dumping of garbage by people in the trench at Yarrow Dam so that there will be less clogging of the drainage canal preventing the flow of water into the koker.
Meanwhile, Kim Armstrong, a resident of Festival City in North Ruimveldt noted that every time it rains it floods making it impossible for people to traverse the area. She added that if she hadn’t built up her parapet the water would have gone into her home.
Armstrong said she noticed water in other residents’ homes, some of whom had babies, making it difficult for them to manage. She noted that residents in the area usually cleaned the smaller trenches, but could not manage the large drainage canal.
“I think the government should find places for the squatters in the area, provide homes and lands for them so they can clear the area, in order to have the large canal clean. The government could place persons from the prison to clear the drainage canal because we, the residents, need proper drainage in the area,” she said.
Meantime, passersby on Main Street had to look carefully for the drainage canal as the walkway was under water; one person even fell into the drain because it was not easily visible.
