Floods continue to wreak havoc as heavy rainfall persists countrywide

Heavy rainfall persists countrywide, and almost all administrative regions continue to be severely affected by intense flooding.
The Civil Defence Commission (CDC), in providing an update on the situation during a press conference on Wednesday, revealed that floods have worsened in Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice), and several houses are now completely under water in Kwakwani.

The Civil Defence Commission has, within the last 15 days, deployed several teams countrywide to conduct rapid assessments of the flooding in various administrative regions. Director General of the Civil Defence Commission, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, has said the assessments were done in collaboration with various agencies, including the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority, the Agriculture Ministry, and the Regional Democratic Councils.
“The assessment revealed that areas remain inundated even when the tides are at (their) lowest, and lands could not drain efficiently since many were within basins…. In many instances, poor drainage caused by lack of maintenance damaged infrastructure and (aggravated) the situation. Residents in farming communities have reported loss of crops and livestock,” he said.

Colonel Craig explained that through collaborative efforts, several pieces of equipment were deployed to conduct remedial works, such as the clearing of drains and outfalls, which significantly helped to abate the flooding in some parts of the country.
However, in many areas, the flooding persisted.
It has been reported that in Region One, all three subdistricts are affected; while in Region Three, flooding exists in a number of communities.
“A pump was deployed to Parika, and two irrigators are to be installed at the De Kendren sluice to assist the Tuschen-Uitvlugt NDC”, Craig explained.
There is no major flooding in Region Four, he explained.
However, in Region Five, the Mahaicony and Mahaica rivers are above normal levels, causing flooding. In Region Six, there is flooding in every area, except Skeldon. In Region 7 there is no flooding in Bartica, but riverine areas are affected.
Region Eight remains flooded, while Region Nine has seen a decrease in water levels. Region Ten has been hardest hit by the flooding, he explained.
“In Region 10, water receded in Mackenzie and in Wismar, but remain extremely high at Rockstone, Kwakwani and Arima. Food hampers and cleaning supplies are dispatched and distributed, and three shelters have since been established,” he detailed.
Kwakwani residents have recently had to evacuate their homes amid widespread flooding. The Kwakwani Primary School is now serving as a temporary shelter for persons displaced by the floods. It has been reported that mattresses from the Students’ Hostel and other supplies have recently been taken to the location to assist residents.
Colonel Craig added that other shelters have been set up across the country to cater to persons who have been affected by the flood. He said those shelters would remain in place until persons can return to their homes.
The CDC Director added that, in total, there are about 10,000 households that have been affected by the countrywide flooding.
According to the weather forecast, heavy rainfall is expected to continue throughout the week, and residents are encouraged to take all precautionary actions.