Region 2 floodwaters receding slowly – Coonjah

…pumps in operation, excavation continues

While many rice farmers and residents living in flood-affected areas in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) are counting their loses, the Region Two Administration, in collaboration with the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), continues to dispatch excavators to various areas to assist with dredging and cleaning.
Guyana Times understands that while the cleaning and clearing of several drainage trenches and canals are currently ongoing, there are still areas where floodwaters remain.
A drive along the Essequibo Coast reveals that certain villages, including Charity, Lima, Windsor Castle, Devonshire Castle and Hampton Court, are still flooded. In other areas, the waters are receding slowly; however, the conditions, according to residents, are now swampy and unhygienic.

The floodwaters are receding very slowly from rice lands
The floodwaters are receding very slowly from rice lands
The swampy conditions remaining in the wake of the floods
The swampy conditions remaining in the wake of the floods
Several homes are still flooded
Several homes are still flooded

The water levels in the rice fields have significantly dropped and rice farmers, though thankful, are still concerned. The farmers related that they are entering the crop with many expenses and should the rains continue, their rice lands will remain under threat. They continue to plead with Central Government for higher capacity pumps, as well as assistance in the form of fuel or subsidies.
Many of them have given a detailed explanation of their expenses to this publication, pointing out that if assistance is not given, then they would be running at a loss. Most rice farmers are surviving on loans they took from commercial banks in an effort to sustain their livelihood.
Meanwhile, in areas of the Anna Regina and Lima Housing Schemes, many persons remain in their upper flats, as they were forced to vacate to higher ground owing to the massive flooding experienced on December 24, 2016.
However, the pump at Dawa has since been put into operation in an effort to provide adequate drainage in the Pomeroon areas. According to Regional Vice Chairperson Nandranie Coonjah, the waters are receding at a very slow pace. She explained that efforts are being made to open areas to accommodate excessive water. Coonjah assured that engineers and officials, as well as other staff, will continue to monitor the situation within the Region.