17 homes evacuated as flood situation in Region 9 worsens

…water level rises 6 feet; shelters established – Regional official

Rescue operations were on Wednesday activated in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) following rising water levels in several already cut off communities. This was according to Regional Vice Chairman Carl Singh who told Guyana Times that communities in the South Pakaraimas and Deep South, and the Rupununi are still inundated.

He noted that several persons from about 17 households were transported to three shelters in Lethem as the flooding intensified. The official explained that around 05:00h, the Moco-Moco and Takutu Rivers rose some six feet, adding that the Rupununi River also remains at a “very high” level. Up to late Wednesday, Singh disclosed that the water did not recede.
“St Ignatius Secondary school was cut off, you have to use boats to get over the bridge; the entire Deep South is cut off; at Nasha Bridge, the water very high there. Nothing can be done in there,” Singh observed.
This publication understands that the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has volunteers stationed in Lethem while other officials not present on the ground were also in constant contact with the region.
Vice Chairman Singh deemed the flooding as ‘worrying’ as he noted that he will update Government on what could be done to assist residents of the region.
“It’s a worrying situation because water rise drastically since the morning and it hasn’t gone down; we’re now assessing the situation and we will let [Government] know what they can do,” he noted.
Coupled with the flooding is reportedly a shortage of fuel in Region Nine which is blamed on the bad condition of Linden-Lethem trail. Only last week a truck transporting fuel toppled while crossing a bridge.
A temporary by-pass was carved out but according the Vice Chairman, the truck remains stuck on the bridge as drums of fuel are being shuttled to Lethem.
In the last few days, movement of people and cargo was severely hindered as workers made feverish attempts to remove the truck. It was reported that rotten parts of the decking of the bridge, collapsed under the truck’s weight.
It was stated further that the situation was coupled in the part of the road between Aishalton and Wariwau being washed away due to overtopping of the Ireng and Takutu Rivers along with continuing heavy rainfall which continued into Wednesday.
Before the temporary by-pass was made out, buses were taking people and goods up the blocked off sections and they had to board other vehicles to continue their journey.
Regional Chairman Bryan Allicock said earlier this week that emergency construction works were necessary before the bridge could be opened to the public. He had also warned that fuel shortage was imminent as tankers had been prevented from traversing the trail. During the blockage, some vehicle owners travelled to the nearby Brazilian community, Bonfim to search for fuel. (Shemuel Fanfair)