Flooding in Region 9: Residents begin preparations ahead of rainy season

In light of heavy downpours during the last rainy season which, severely flooded several parts of Region 9 (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) earlier this year. In a bid to mitigate the impact of flooding residents have already begun preparations ahead of the rainy season.
In an interview with Guyana Times, Region Nine’s Regional Chairman, Bryan Allicock highlighted that whilst the rainy season has commenced in several regions particularly those close to the coast. He explained that Region 9 is currently experiencing droughts; this he noted has been ongoing for several months now. The regional chairman told this publication that the prolonged heat wave has had a significant impact on agriculture in the region.
“We’re not getting any rain season, we’re getting droughts, several months now, the dry weather is on. Even though you’re getting showers in Georgetown, we hardly get anything up here in the region, just a slight drizzle and that’s it. All the cassava farms I just spoke with, some Toshaos, the cassava farms, they’re not bearing. The tubers are thin, stringy, you know, even though the trees are large. So that is why it’s happening now with the farmers.”

However, despite the current dry spell the regional chairman highlighted that when the season ends significant flooding is expected. In this regard the chairman explained that residents of Region Nine, particularly farmers, have already begun to prepare for the upcoming rainy season.
“We know that the heavy rains will come next year. For this December you might just have a few showers. But that’s it, they call it the cashew rain. But next year, I know, when this drought should have ended, there’ll be tremendous flooding. You know, that’s what happens after a long dry spell. So the people are prepared, they’re planting the crops on higher grounds, you know. So when the rain do come, they’re higher up. And those that are planted in the swamp, they’ll be harvesting those crops before the heavy rains come.”
Moreover, Allicock highlighted that the region will be prepared to assist affected residents during the rainy season.
“The Civil Defence Commission has a centre here, they have a large building with storage facilities. But what we noticed is that we brought in some stocks last year. And they were there for about three months. And when we checked, the black-eyed peas, the split peas, the flour, the rice, you know, got weevil infested. So, we are calculating when we’ll get a rain so that we’ll have stocks come in at that time, before the rain starts.”
The regional chairman added. “So, what we do is keep a certain amount. And we know that we don’t have anything in stock at the moment, large amounts. But we have some stores, supermarkets. And so when we have these emergencies, they would assist us by having stocks sent to us. And we distribute to those affected persons.”
Meanwhile, earlier in May as the La Niña season took hold of climatic conditions in Guyana, several villages in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) were inundated by heavy rainfall.
While other regions have reported no flooding, communities in Region Nine, particularly villages in the North Rupununi district, have reported being affected by the relentless downpours. According to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), the Hydromet Service’s reports highlighted that villages such as Toka, Massara, Yakarinta, Aranaputa Valley, Karasabai, Tiger Pond, Sand Creek, Karaudarnau and Katoonarib had been hardest hit. In these areas, floodwaters had risen to alarming levels, submerging roads and inundating homes.
Among the severest impacts of the flooding detailed in the report is the erosion of crucial roadways by flash floods, such as the section between Toka and Massara. This erosion disrupted transportation, and also isolated communities by rendering them inaccessible by land. Additionally, vital infrastructure such as the Yakarinta Bridge were submerged, further complicating matters for residents. Karasabai Village faced a particularly dire situation, as soaring water levels in the Yurora Creek blocked off all land routes, leaving the community stranded.