“Flood water has receded a lot around the country” – Min Mustapha

– but Lethem experiences a rise in water level

The government remains vigilant in monitoring the country’s drainage and irrigation systems nationwide to avoid major flooding, especially during the ongoing May-June rainy season.
Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha on Monday stated, “Water has receded a lot around the country. A number of initiatives have been put in place…We have systems in place like pumps, sluices, and outfalls which are all working. And we will continue to monitor the situation.”
Recent flooding incidents in several communities prompted swift governmental action to mitigate the impact. Areas such as Black Bush Polder in Region Six, Wismar Shore – Silvertown, Victory Valley, and First, Second, and Third Alleys in Region Ten were affected.

The government responded by initiating manual cleaning and excavation of drains, alongside desilting major canals, among other drainage and irrigation (D&I) interventions across affected areas.
In Georgetown, where 12 pumps are operational, three engineers oversee drainage systems round-the-clock to ensure their effectiveness.
Minister Mustapha underscored collaborative efforts with the Public Works Ministry and other stakeholders to ensure robust management of drainage systems.
“Generally, we don’t have any major concerns. I am hoping that the system can continue to work as it is working presently…I am hoping to get a report shortly countrywide to see what are the effects and if there are any, we will look at it,” the agriculture minister stated.
Nevertheless, several sections in Region Nine including Lethem have seen some flooding. A source in Lethem told the Guyana Times that some areas around central Lethem have experienced a rise in water which has caused them to take precautionary measures.

He added that despite putting the necessary measures in place, some residents were forced to move to higher grounds as the water from the mountains and overflowing canals continued to come inland.
Presently, the regional administration is working with stakeholders including the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to address the situation.
In Region Six, water levels in some sections of the Black Bush Polder (BBP) continue to rise even with the pumps operating at Number 43 Village, Eversham and Adventure. Many livestock owners have been forced to take their animals and birds to higher grounds.
Residents of Mibicuri, Johanna and Yakasari reported that the water levels continue to rise. In addition, farmers at Lesbeholden stated that the water was coming from the Savannah area.
There are reports which suggest that there are breaches in the system allowing water from Cookrite Savannah to enter the cultivation area in all four polders. The sluice at Eversham drains Mibicuri and apart from gravitational the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority has erected a pump that is assisting with the drainage.