Floodwaters had receded significantly in several parts of Bartica yesterday morning after prolonged heavy rainfall on Saturday.
Regional Chairman Kenneth Williams told Stabroek News yesterday that the water had receded significantly. Residents suffered serious water damage in their homes and many threw out electrical appliances yesterday. Residents were fearful yesterday afternoon as the rain continued. However, Williams stated that the pump was operational.
“The water is off the land. Residents… are currently assessing the damage. It is raining again and we are hoping that it doesn’t lead to flooding,” he added.
On Saturday, Williams told Stabroek News that the flooding started between 1.30 pm to 2 pm. During his visit to Fifth, Fourth and Second avenues, he saw that a lot of businesses and homes were flooded. He noted that the pump at Fourth Avenue wasn’t working because two batteries had to be replaced and a koker in Third Avenue was not functioning like it should and this caused the water to accumulate. He opined that the flooding could have been avoided if the pump and koker were in working condition at the time. He added, “I’m very, very disappointed and heartbroken by what I saw.”
A resident of Fifth Avenue, Zulfikar Hack, had told Stabroek that his yard and the lower flat of his two-storey home were swamped by 15-18 inches of water. However, by Saturday evening the water had receded and his wife and daughter along with neighbours were helping him with clearing up and disinfecting the place.
Hack explained that when he got a call about the flooding, he rushed downstairs at about 2.30 pm and saw that his lower flat had been flooded. He added that items that were stored there were damaged along with hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth in books and furniture. He fears that his refrigerator is also affected.
Civil Defence Commission (CDC) Public Relations Officer Patrice Wishart also related to this newspaper yesterday that the pump was activated and majority of the water has since receded. Wishart added that an assessment was being conducted and the results will determine whether aid should be distributed.
