Canal No 2 trench cleared but flooding continues

– farmers suspect conservancy overtopping

Though the trench in Canal Number Two Polder, West Bank Demerara (WBD), has been largely cleared of overgrown weeds and moss, inundation continues in some sections which is threatening the livelihoods of many farmers. On Thursday, <<<Guyana Times>>> was told that the flood waters receded, fresh inundation reportedly emanated from the backlands.
South Section cash crop farmer, Dookie (only name), indicated that the latest spat of flood waters is dark in colour and from his experience; he, along with others suggested that it may be excess water from the conservancy that is spilling over into the backlands and flowing downwards.
When this newspaper visited the area late last week, it was evident that water in the front part of the Canal was lower than the backlands. It was only last week Friday that the clearing was done at the back of the canal.
The farmers who suffered losses at the hands of heavy rains had last week urged the relevant authorities to provide assistance for them to continue farming in terms of fertilisers. Last week’s inundation was spurred on by intense heavy rainfall over a five-day period which flooded homes and farmlands in the area. Dookie told this newspaper that some 200 of his pear crops which he planted 15 months ago were threatened. He had also explained that it was only weeks ago that he invested around $1 million to excavate his drains in preparations for the heavy rainfall but his peppers and pak-choi were all destroyed.
Many of the farmers blamed the local Neighbourhood Democratic Council and the Regional Democratic Council for ignoring their numerous complaints and Guyana Times reported that the flooding could have been avoided if the Tender Board had facilitated the contract being awarded for drainage works in the area earlier on.
This publication was informed that previously, a former large-scale sugar cane farmer was granted monthly contracts for clearing clogged drains over the years.
However, changes in the tendering process awarded the contract to several contractors instead. It is this back-and-forth that many believed was responsible for the flooding. The farmers reported that they have not seen such water levels since the 2005 floods.