Assessment team visits Region Seven amid severe flooding

As the several villages in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) remains inundated, an assessment team including Local Government and Regional Development Minister, Nigel Dharamlall; Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal and Head of the Civil Defense Commission (CDC), Colonel Nazrul Hussain visited Jawalla Village on Wednesday.

The team along with other ministry and CDC representatives travelled to the region to assess the impact of the severe flood affecting the riverine communities following the recent heavy rainfall which cause rivers to overflow.
Addressing Jawalla residents, Dharamlall explained that the government is aware of the severity of the flooding situation in the upper and lower Mazaruni.
“So today… our plan is to visit as many communities as possible so that we can have an understanding of the current situation and how you’re affected, and then we will report those to the president. And then, as best as possible, we will be able to relate to him some of your needs,” the minister expressed.
He acknowledged the impact of the flooding not only on the households, but on the communities’ economies as it pertains to hindered farming and mining.
Meanwhile, Minister Croal reminded residents that the weather patterns continue to change according to environmental factors.
“There is one thing we have to be reminded of, and that is to accept that climatic conditions are changing, and some of the predictability is not there. We also are now more prone to water rising to a higher level simply because of increased rainfall.

“That is nature, and that is part of climatic change. And so, we have to accept that. And in doing that, we now have to re-look and re-evaluate for ourselves, especially along the riverbanks of where we live, and monitor the depth of where the water is reaching, so that we may have to look at relocation in some cases,” he expressed.
A number of concerns were raised by residents, the majority of which were addressed by the ministers who committed to the resolution of other non-urgent issues during future visits.
The ministers visited the village of Kako with Colonel Hussain to hand over rain boots and water tanks, and engaged with one of their village leaders.
Only recently, Regional Chairman Kennette Williams told the Guyana Times that the heavy rainfall continues to trigger severe flooding in Middle Mazaruni, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), affecting over 300 residents and businesses.
He noted that those businesses affected were shops that sell groceries, fuel, dredge parts, and other items.
Williams had stated that the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) along with the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) is assessing the situation and providing persons with assistance in the form of cleaning agents and medical supplies.
Those affected area are Quebanang, Kangaruma, Waramadong, Philippi, Pappy Show Landing, and Mango Landing. Eteringbang and Arau Village were also experiencing rising river levels.
As it evaluates the situation, the CDC said it will remain in constant contact with persons on the ground there throughout an extensive period to determine what measures should be taken.
Less than a week ago, Prime Minister Mark Phillips urged persons in low-lying and flood-prone areas to take precautions in the coming days, as Guyana continues to experience heavy rainfall.
Director-General of the Civil Defence Commission, Colonel (retired) Nazrul Hussain has added that the CDC has embarked on a public awareness campaign on its social media platforms, and is urging residents to take all necessary precautions.
Meanwhile, residents countrywide are urged to take precautions where necessary and to report any impacts to local authorities or the National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) on telephone numbers 600-7500 or 226-1114 at any time.