Heavy rainfall to persist until Sunday

A forecast from the Hydromet Office suggests that the current heavy showers will continue until Sunday, as authorities put contingency and preparatory plans in place to mitigate floods.
This was communicated by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, who said authorities are hoping for this change in weather pattern by the end of this weekend.
“The rainfall pattern will continue in another three days. We’re hoping the weather will break about Sunday, according to the Hydromet Office. That is why we’re looking to ensure that we have minimal flooding…We’re seeing heavy, high-intensity rainfall and we’re trying our utmost to ensure that we put systems in place to deal with it. We might not be able to avoid flooding as a whole but generally, we’re trying to minimise and mitigate the flooding that will occur,” he noted.
Reports are being filtered to initiate responses in the event of flooding or support to the draining network.
“As we are receiving reports, we are seeing what more we can do and more resources we can deploy to get it resolved. Our system is catered to drain between one to 1.5 inches of water in a 24h period. And we’re having two inches, four inches of rainfall so it is putting a strain on our system too. That is why we have to have additional equipment and ensure that the sluices are run on a tidal basis.”
In the event of a flood, persons are asked to stay out of the water and keep food items safe. Water-borne diseases can be contracted through contact with these waters. Direct contact with floodwaters can expose persons to several germs that can lead to any of these diseases. Guardians are also asked to keep children especially out of the water, as they are most at risk of contracting diseases; and everyone should avoid swimming in canals and trenches.
Protective gear should be used, and feet should be washed regularly after persons exit the waters. If necessary, Vaseline or oil can be applied to form a barrier to protect from the dirty water.
Additionally, water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes which spread Zika, dengue and chikungunya virus. Fruits and vegetables should be washed thoroughly with clean water to prevent contamination.
To protect against an electric shock, turn off the main electrical switch, unplug all appliances, and move them to safe areas in the home. If it is suspected that electrical wiring has been damaged in a home, turn off the main switch and have it checked by a qualified electrician before turning on the power again. (G12)