Floodwaters recede across Region 9 but damaged roads, bridges keep communities cut off

After a tumultuous period of flooding across the Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) that left several communities waterlogged, signs of improvement are beginning to emerge as waters gradually recede. However, challenges remain, with some areas still inundated as efforts continue to ensure relief and response measures remain in place.
Providing an update on the situation to this publication, Regional Chairperson, Vania Albert revealed that areas witnessing receding floodwaters include Yakarinta and several other communities.

Receding
“Deep South and South Central, water has now receded, but the roads need immediate attention. A lot of bridges and culverts have been damaged and washed away. Water has receded except for places like Yakarinta,” she explained.
Yakarinta remains a key passageway for students travelling to school, and Albert said systems have been put in place to ensure continued access to education.
“Yakarinta students are attending Massara Secondary School, so they have to travel every single day and return. What we are trying to do now is arrange fuel so that boats can transport them so they can catch buses and head to secondary school. So far, with health services, we do not really have shortages of drugs.”
Meanwhile, speaking about the South Pakaraimas, Albert revealed that waters have also started receding there.
“For the South Pakaraimas area, which includes Karasabai, waters are now receding there as well. The only area still flooded right now is the access point into Karasabai, but for villages such as Yurong Paru, Rukumuta, Tipuru, Pai Pang, and Taipang, waters have receded.”
She added that while access roads are slowly reopening, damaged infrastructure continues to create challenges.
“We now have access roads, but the issue is that bridges are damaged where creeks remain high, so some areas are still cut off due to damaged bridges and culverts.”
Albert further explained that the Hunt Oil stretch along the main roadway to Georgetown has also seen improvements, though new concerns remain around the Pirara Bridge area.
In Region Nine, the Hunt Oil stretch refers to a well-known 10.5-mile straight section of roadway in the North Rupununi, often described as one of the longest straight roads in Guyana.
“The Hunt Oil stretch has receded, but around the Pirara Bridge area, water levels continue to rise. This morning, the water increased further, but as floodwaters recede from the Karasabai area, they are naturally flowing towards this location. That is why water levels around the Pirara Bridge continue to rise. However, today the Takutu River has receded slightly, and the water is gradually going down.”
Albert explained that Government officials have already visited several affected communities, noting that the Prime Minister visited parts of the region last week to assess the situation first-hand. She added that following discussions with the President, flood relief assistance is expected to be deployed to affected residents.
She further noted that authorities are still assessing the full extent of the damage, particularly within the agriculture sector, as efforts continue to determine how many farmers and farms have been impacted by the flooding.

Farmers affected
To date, Albert reported that approximately 700 farmers across the region have been affected.
“So, to this date, for the entire region, we have approximately 700 farmers affected.”
However, she noted that there is no update on how flooding has affected fishing in the South Rupununi.
On Sunday, education officers visited more than 75 per cent of schools across the country to assess conditions and ensure that learning environments remain safe and accessible. Following these assessments, it has been confirmed that only seven schools have temporarily closed due to weather-related challenges. The Ministry said that it is working closely with affected institutions to provide support and ensure that learning continues through alternative arrangements where necessary. It also commended the dedication of education officers and expressed gratitude to parents, teachers and communities for their cooperation.
Conditions along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway were also recorded to be deteriorating, with rising waters inundating sections of the carriageway and prompting drivers to exercise extreme caution. In Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), while some vehicles are cautiously making their way across the Pirara Bridge, several trucks have reportedly overturned and had to remain stranded on the Lethem side of the crossing.