CDC prepares schools as dry spell to linger until early 2024
Students with Ambassador Guo Haiyan and other officials during the outreach exercise
The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) is preparing schools across the country as the El Nino conditions persist, as the perdurable dry season is expected to persist until early 2024.
Recently, in collaboration with the People’s Republic of China and the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) of Kuru Kururu and Yarrowkabra, a quantity of El Niño preparedness and response equipment was donated to five schools along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.
These items were donated by the Chinese Government to the Commission and included water dispensers, fire extinguishers, and bottled water. The CDC team and Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Guo Haiyan, engaged the Kuru Kururu Primary School; Swan Primary School; Yarrowkabra Primary School; Hauraruni Primary School; and Kuru Kuru Primary School.
“Students and teachers were also sensitised about the effects of El Niño and the current dry season. Sessions included tips to stay hydrated, what drought and El Niño phenomena entail, and the unified effort between both Governments to ensure that persons are adequately protected during this period. The sensitisation activities were conducted by CDC’s Mitigation and Recovery Unit,” the CDC informed on Tuesday.
Ambassador Haiyan iterated that part of her mandate is to help ensure that Guyanese are in a position to alleviate their vulnerabilities as it relates to enduring the dry season.
Last week, the El Niño Preparedness and Response Outreach was conducted at South Ruimveldt Secondary School, the David Rose School in Georgetown, and President’s College on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD).
Staff of the CDC handed over water dispensers, a fire extinguisher, and bottled water as part of their effort to sensitise persons of the impacts of the current dry spell.
The team has also reached as far as the Mahdia Primary School. Delivering items such as water dispensers and water tanks will assist persons in combating the harsh dry conditions, the CDC added.
The Hydrometeorological Service in its most recent forecast, has predicted below-normal rainfall and above-normal average temperature across Guyana from November 2023 to January 2024.
The rainy season that lasts from December to January usually brings wet conditions in Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, and northern Region 6. This period is also considered the ‘short’ wet season, with the transition starting from mid-to late November. The highest occurrence of short-duration, high-intensity rainfall is observed during this period, which often leads to flash flooding.
The ongoing El Niño phase is expected to continue throughout and beyond the November 2023 to January 2024 period. As a consequence, rainfall amounts are expected to be less than the historical average. Further, southern sections of Regions 6 and 8 and all of Region 9 will continue to experience dry conditions.
