Mining operations and other livelihood practices in some sections of Middle Mazaruni, Region Seven have come to a standstill as flooding has returned. In the last two weeks, extensive rainfall in the mountains have resulted in the Mazaruni River swelling and rising water levels in some communities.
At Pappy Show Landing, one of the main mining areas, and surrounding environs, mining pits are flooded channelling a ripple effect on the local village economy.
“Well nobody working, so nobody shopping. It is getting very hard for food. We can catch rainwater to drink but food is becoming a big problem,” vendor Richie (only name given) said, while speaking with Stabroek News yesterday.
Fiona Hercules, a shop owner who operates at the front of the landing, also noted that business has been slow. “There is no mining; that is closed off so that means people are hardly buying. And to get to where I am, they have to use boats because of the height of the water,” she explained.
Middle Mazaruni native, Dwight Larson yesterday confirmed that not only mining areas are flooded but also indigenous communities on the river banks.
According to Larson, flooding in the riverine area is totally different from the coast as they don’t depend on kokers for drainage.
Public Relations Officer at the Civil Defence Commission Patrice Wishart yesterday said confirmed that communities such as Issenseru, Tamakay and Jawalla are all flooded. However, it is unclear if water is inside homes. Wishart added that the water levels in Mazaruni are extremely high.
Additionally, he disclosed that in Region Eight, 15 households in Chenapau and Karispau are affected and the community of Karasabai has been cut off from supplies as the Yuorora and Jowari bridges are flooded.
This is the third consecutive year that floods are affecting communities in the middle Mazaruni. At Pappy Show Landing water levels are approximately 10 feet high.
Meanwhile, Richie went on to explain that they have been experiencing heavy rainfall for probably two weeks now and the airstrip is flooded. He noted that they are now dependent on jet boats to transport supplies to communities.
“We haven’t seen anyone coming to find out what is happening. This is the third year we get flood and every time is losses,” the vendor said.
According to him, many business are still recovering from the losses of the past two floods.
“Every time the flood comes it is millions we are losing and nobody is assisting us. Excavator engines get damaged, machines and dredges shut down and the miners have to find ways to start up back when the floods is gone,” Richie said.
He noted that the flood leaves many miners stressed and frustrated as they are unable to meet their financial commitments.
Further, Hercules told Stabreok News that the water level has been stagnant for the past four days, and given past experience she does not believe it would suddenly climb. At present the water level is under her property but in the last two years it was over her shop counter.
“… We have seen how high the water can get. We know it would be high and we have built for that but the last two years and then this year it rising. Nobody ever experience this,” she added before pointing out that they will have to look at flood prevention measures to save their businesses.
Hercules added that they are currently monitoring water levels and will have to make alternative arrangements to save their valuables.
“Another thing since the first flood in 2021 some dredge operators moved out and that took a toll on our businesses only the big fishes surviving now,” she disclosed while noting that only once she benefited from a government flood relief programme. Last year, she stated that she was the recipient of $25,000.
Stabroek News understands that after the rain eases the flood water stays on the ground for approximately 8 weeks and in some cases a shorter period.
Over at Tamakay Landing, a miner told this newspaper that the flooding has not yet reached to mining camps or living quarters.
The man explained that the water has risen on the lower parts of the landing and they are monitoring the situation closely. As of Saturday, he said water levels appeared to have dropped by a foot. But with the rainy period in effect, he said, that situation can change.
2021 and 2022 flooding
In December 2022, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) informed that communities such as Qunbanag, Kangaruma, Jawalla Waramadong and Phillipai were all experiencing flooding at different levels.
Region Seven Chairman Kenneth Williams had reported that over 25 houses were under water, 20 of the flooded homes were in Jawalla, another community that has been battered by the yearly flooding.
In 2021, several communities in the region were plagued by flooding, with many families and individuals losing their homes and camps. For weeks miners were unable to ply their trade. Water levels back then rose to close to 14 feet high.
Williams had reported that the flooding in 2021, May/June left “an unimaginable trail of destruction.”
Water levels in some areas were as high as 15 feet.
