Heavy rainfall: Citizens urged to take precautions against possible flooding – PM

Prime Minister of Guyana, Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips, has urged persons in low-lying and flood-prone areas to take precautions in the coming days, as Guyana continues to experience heavy rainfall.
Prime Minister Phillips, under whose purview the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) falls, made this comment during a briefing held at the CDC Headquarters at Thomas Lands on Thursday.
“We are in the rainy season, and some amount of flooding is expected. While we do not hope for it, we are working to closely monitor the situation. Persons who reside on low-lying areas and those who are affected by flooding, I encourage you to take all precautions to minimise the damage that is associated with flooding in all communities,” he advised.
The Prime Minister, who also holds responsibility for disaster risk management, revealed that the Cabinet Taskforce on Flooding is also monitoring the rainfall.
Director-General of the Civil Defence Commission, Colonel (retired) Nazrul Hussain, has added that the CDC has embarked on a public awareness campaign on its social media platforms, and is urging residents to take all necessary precautions.

He noted that the Commission is working with the Ministry of Agriculture’s Hydrometeorological Service and several other stakeholders to monitor and respond to reports of flooding.
In the meantime, a flood advisory warning is being issued, based on the predicted weather forecast for the week. CDC has also advised citizens to remain vigilant and cautious, and to report any impacts to local authorities or the National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) on 600-7500 at any time.
The Hydrometeorological Service of the Agriculture Ministry has forecasted wetter-than-usual rainfall conditions across all regions of Guyana until January 2023, as the country experiences the secondary rainfall season. The usual secondary rainfall season will be augmented by persistent La Nina conditions during the season. Rainfall is expected to increase considerably at least to January. During the upcoming rainy season, water levels in conservancies, reservoirs, and inland rivers across Regions One to Eight and 10 are likely to increase, and there is a high risk of flooding.
On the other hand, Region Nine would continue to be dry, but can expect more than the usual number of rainy days.
It has been noted that the continued maintenance of drainage infrastructure is essential as the country progresses towards the wet season. Farmers have been urged to take all the necessary precautions to secure crops and livestock in advance of significant rainfall events. Miners are similarly cautioned to exercise maximum care on interior roads and on mining sites, while the applicable public health protocols should be activated across the Regions. (G12)