Govt providing support to flood-affected regions through NDIA

The Government has said it continues to help flood-affected communities across the country following persistent heavy rainfall.
In a statement issued on Thursday evening, it noted that the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) would continue to make the necessary interventions to bring relief to affected residents and farmers.
Flooding is reported in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Nine and Ten; all sluices were opened at low tide, and the water is receding in some areas.
In Region One, the water level remains high in the creeks, while some internal roads have been eroded and are impassable in some areas from Six Miles. Farmers suffered losses to cash crops such as cassava, and some poultry farmers have been affected.

The NDIA, the statement said, is continuing to maintain the outfall channels and pumps in Region Two, while the sluice will be opened tidally. The Authority recently received an approval tender to replace the Capoey Sluice, and has opened tenders as part of its capital works to empolder farmlands.
In Region Three, there are reports of flooding at Oku residential and farming areas, farmlands at North and South Section, Debuff and conservancy seepage in Canals Numbers One and Two.
In response, the statement noted that instructions have been given to the Water Users’ Association (WUA) to mobilise on-site for mechanical pulling of both main drains in Canals Numbers One and Two. The Ministry of Public Works has also deployed tow machines and one from GuySuCo to help clean clogged drains in areas such as Tuschen/Zeelugt Scheme and Railway View/Meten-Meer-Zorg.
The water has receded in Sans Souci, Maria’s Pleasure and Maria Johanna in Wakenaam.

Meanwhile, in Region Four, two sluice doors have been replaced at Alliance, and repairs are in progress at another. The Indian pump supplier is currently working to repair or replace the drive shaft which broke in the Nootenzuil new pump. A mobile pump has been installed and is operable.
Additionally, a contractor is currently executing works at the Belfield 40 cusec pump.
The NDIA has deployed two excavators on the right bank and two on the left bank of the Mahaicony Creek to reinforce the flood embankment. It has also completed cleaning the Mahaicony Creek channel and has mobilised a mobile pump at Gordon Table in Region Five.

Interventions in Region Six include deployment of four excavators to Black Bush Polder, repairs to the pump at Eversham, installation of two tractor pumps to drain floodwaters at Canefield and Adelphi in Canje, desilting of outfall at Borlam, installation of a pump at Adventure and Number 47 Villages, and the commencement of dredging at Number 43, Eversham, Lesbeholden and Numbers 51 and 52 Villages.
Giving an update on the situation in Region Nine, the statement highlighted that the water has receded minimally in some areas, such as Tabatinga and the Culvert City housing area. Meanwhile, in Region 10, mechanical cleaning is being executed in Coomacka. A contractor is working on an erosion project, and tubes are being installed at Coomacka mines.
The NDIA will undertake cleaning with the Community Development Councils shortly.
The statement also noted that Government Ministers have been visiting communities affected by flooding throughout the country, and making the necessary interventions on the spot. Relief hampers and other support have also been provided to residents.
Those visits will continue countrywide, with the Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, expected to revisit Black Bush Polder and other areas in Region Six, while several Ministers are fanning out across Region Nine this weekend.