Evacuation ongoing as flooding worsens in Region 9

Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Nine (Upper Takutu- Upper Essequibo), Karl Singh has confirmed that evacuation is ongoing for several residents of Lethem, where flooding has intensified.
Several communities in the region are experiencing drastic flooding owing to heavy continuous rainfall and the overflowing of waterways.
When contacted on Tuesday, Singh explained that Shea Village, Sand Creek, Bai-Shaizon, St Ignatius, Lethem, and Aishalton remain under water.
Those who have been evacuated have moved to several shelters or are staying with relatives who live on higher ground.
Shelters have been set up at the Arapaima Primary School and the Tabatinga Complex.

According to the REO, the situation is challenging in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Notwithstanding, he said all efforts were being made to have persons tested for the virus before they enter the shelters. Reports are that a team from the Public Works Ministry has been monitoring infrastructure in the region and so far the team has detected a broken bridge in Aishalton.
Meanwhile, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has already sent a number of relief hampers to the region as its assessments are still ongoing. It noted that more than 90 families are flooded.

Meanwhile, the Department of Public Information (DPI) said that during a meeting at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Regional Chairman Brian Allicock said the water, overflowing from the Takutu River, was affecting both South and North Rupununi.
He said 52 homes were flooded in Parabara and 34 in Bai-Shaizon. In Tabatinga, five families had to be evacuated to a shelter.
In a statement, CDC said that it has prepared over 1000 hampers for flood-affected residents of Region Nine. CDC Director General, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig led a technical team to the Region on Wednesday, to hand over the emergency supplies and assess the effects of the flooding.   Additionally, the Regional Disaster Management Committee has been activated as part of the Regional Response Mechanism. The Committee has been conducting assessments across the Region, focusing on the households most impacted. This publication previously reported that torrential rainfall resulted in flooding in areas such as Market Square and the Magistrate’s Court in Lethem.