-Linden–Lethem travel affected
Over 300 Region 10 households have been affected by rain-fuelled flooding and travel between Linden and Lethem was greatly affected yesterday by storm surges which sliced the trail and swamped crossings.
A report from the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) last evening said that the Government of Guyana, through the CDC, has responded to several reports of flooding over the past few days countrywide. “These impacts are due to consistent rainfall and over-topping of waterways. Region 10 (Upper Demerara – Upper Berbice) has confirmed that a number of communities have been affected by floodwaters, but those waters are receding.”
According to the statement, more than 300 households and farmlands have been impacted thus far in areas such as Wismar, Mackenzie, Christianburg, West Watooka, Hymara Creek, and Green Valley. Rockstone is also impacted by rising water levels from the Essequibo River.
The CDC said, at least one family was evacuated from their home temporarily. “The CDC has dispatched a team to the Region to conduct a thorough assessment of the affected communities, and to deliver cleaning supplies to the Regional Authorities. Other government agencies are also on the ground providing mitigative measures to the residents.”
Further, the CDC noted that Region 9 (Upper Takutu – Upper Essequibo) is also experiencing consistent and significant flood impacts. Potarinau, in South Central Rupununi, is flooded almost entirely. Other communities such as Aishalton, Parishara and Nappi Village are affected as well. “Some access roads and bridges in areas such as Kurupukari are covered by floodwaters. An assessment team is currently on the ground in the Region working with town and village personnel to determine the extent of the impact and the required response efforts.”
The report noted, that Region 4 (Demerara – Mahaica) has reports emanating from three villages which are Mocha Arcadia, where several farms have been impacted; and Adventure Village on the Linden–Soesdyke Highway, where at least eight households were impacted due to flash floods; and Little Diamond, where persons have since been relocated to an alternate housing site.
Additionally, they said that residents of Little Diamond yesterday received a quantity of cleaning hampers, mosquito nets and buckets, as they await a receding of the floodwaters. Regions 5 (Mahaica – Berbice), 6 (East Berbice – Corentyne), and 7 (Cuyuni – Mazaruni) have indicated that farming areas and some households have been impacted as well.
Residents of Black Bush Polder in Region 6 have received cleaning hampers from their Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), which were supplied by the CDC. Moraikabai in Region 5 is also under close observation and waterways there have overtopped. “Residents are urged to be cautious during this period and to report any impacts to local authorities or the National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) on 600-7500 at any time.”
Advisory
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) in issuing an advisory said as a result of the flood situation in the North Rupununi and South Pakaraimas, traffic between Georgetown and Lethem would be affected.
In the North Rupununi, the GPF said that the approach at the third concrete bridge from Kurupukari crossing – between Kurupukari and Corkwood was washed away and was about 20 feet in width and 6 feet in depth and streaming rapidly.
They noted that a motor lorry was trapped, however, there was no casualty.
At Surama village, the police’s traffic advisory said that the roadway at an area called Sabba Strick was affected with water about 100 meters in length along the roadway and 18 inches in depth. “It is accessible by tractors and the water level is receding.”
At South Pakaraimas, the Yurora Bridge at Karasabai village was under water about five feet in depth and not accessible by vehicles. The Tigerpond access road bridge from Karasabai was under water about three feet in depth and is not accessible by vehicles and about five houses were reportedly affected by water at Karasabai Village.
“Today (30/05/2024), road works will commence on the section of the trail that was washed away, hence work progress will vary depending on how fast the water pulls off and if the continuous rain stops. In addition, the Brazilian Trucking Association were advised to put a halt on all trucks traversing the trail”, the advisory said.
The Regional Democratic Council of Region Nine yesterday announced upcoming repairs to the S Creek Bridge in Deep South Rupununi which was completely washed away due to the heavy rainfall. The Regional Executive Officer of Region Nine in a statement said that “an assessment of the bridge has been finalized, and a contractor is currently being mobilized to commence repairs. This project is a significant step towards enhancing transportation safety and infrastructure within the region. We will continue to provide updates on the project’s progress. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.”
Further, in a separate post on his social media he noted that RDC staff had assumed a vital role in ensuring the continued safe passage of Lethem residents following the submergence of the Pirara Bridge due to heavy rainfall. “Their efforts to provide free boat transportation exemplify dedication to public service in the face of unforeseen circumstances”, he said.
The Pirara Bridge is a very important crossing as it connects Lethem to the North Rupununi and beyond. However, while the current temporary bridge was threatened by floodwaters yesterday, residents were forced to brave the new structure which is under construction.
Stock up
Eleanor Brown, 35, of Quatata Village, South Rupununi, explained that she was heading from her village to Lethem to stock up on groceries. However, when they got to the bridge they were forced to park their bus and walk over the structure which is under construction.
“The bridge is incomplete. Nothing can’t pass on it and the other bridge they have, the temporary one, it’s shaky and under water, only Hilux vehicle were passing, no buses, no motorcycle can’t pass.”
Describing the experience, Brown said that she was scared and at the end of the walk her legs became numb. “That thing as I approaching the end my legs start to tremble, I get weak, the other lady go a meter she couldn’t walk, the men they walk over, my son had to pull me over and my husband was walking with the baby (one year). The other people who couldn’t walk on the bridge, left on the other side. I think they sent a canter now for them.”
Brown praised Greaves Transportation Service who took them to Lethem for free after they walked across the bridge.
Turning to the current situation in their village, Brown said that it is still raining heavily with farms and water wells flooded out. “It’s still raining, different areas flooded, bridges wash away.”
While she had the opportunity to stock up on groceries yesterday she said that she was unsure how the others who were unable to leave the village will manage.
According to the woman, while the village leaders have been actively informing the authorities of the situation, there has been no relief help offered as yet. “We are not getting any help, previously the regional officials would distribute relief but nothing as of now, they are getting information from all the villages, farms are flooded, houses flooded.”
She then explained that some residents are receiving water from the solar pump in the village but others are affected by the rain as their wells are flooded.
Noting that no senior official has visited to get a firsthand look at the situation, Brown stressed that she is aware that they are “getting information.”
It was reported yesterday that there was a flood assessment being done by staff of the agriculture department. In a post to social media, they asked that persons with farms affected by floodwaters to contact the department or their local sub district representatives.
Yakusari South
Meanwhile, in Yakusari South, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne residents are grappling with floodwaters on their mud dam leaving them little or no access out of their yards.
Pardesh Persaud, 28, explained, that presently first street and third street in South Yakusari are the most affected. “It’s a mud dam, it need to be fix. I’m 28 and since I born and grow this place always flood. My father is 55 and since he born and grow in here too same thing. We not getting any satisfaction when we go the NDC, higher authorities, no house na deh in some streets where them a build and re-build.”
According to Persaud, in the first street there are over twenty children and ten pensioners, while in the third street there is six households with over four per family.
“It deh really bad now, them children daddy got to bring them out. Them father got to lift them, some days me got to go and bring am (nephew) out, the rain start fall, the dam duck, when he reach that over me got to hoist him and bring him out in the water.”
Persaud relayed that presently there are four councillors living in the area, “When you go meet the chairwoman she said she put it in and until now no satisfactions, other place people getting satisfactions, streets are being remade and that street can’t make.”
The resident added, that presently “the trench full, my garden catch water. some people who place high okay.”
The Ministry of Public Works last night said it has completed a series of site visits to assess and address infrastructural concerns in Region 9. Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, led the inspections, focusing primarily on bridges and areas showing signs of erosion, a release from the ministry said.
During the visits, three bridges were identified with significant erosion issues. Contractors have been instructed to address these problems immediately to prevent further degradation and ensure safety, the release said. The inspection covered all bridges from Annai, beginning with bridge number 19, to the washout bridge, number 3.
In addition to erosion repairs, some bridges require the widening of their channels to facilitate better water discharge. This measure is crucial to enhancing the resilience of the infrastructure against potential flooding.
All of the relevant contractors have been informed of the necessary work to be undertaken. The washout bridge repair is underway, with MMC beginning the stockpiling of materials required for the fix. To effectively manage the significant water flow, MMC needs to accumulate 80% of the materials before commencing the blockage of the washout.
Indar also visited the washout area and spoke with stranded passengers, advising that vehicles should be able to traverse the area by tomorrow noon. This assurance comes as part of the Ministry’s commitment to promptly restore connectivity and minimize inconvenience to the public.
