– Doctor to treat affected residents
By Shemuel Fanfair
Over the last few months, intermittent flooding affected the lives of residents and farmers in Region Five
(Mahaica/Berbice). This comes despite efforts by sub-agencies of the Agriculture Ministry and the Regional Administration to alleviate the situation.
Guyana Times is aware that heavy rains between Friday evening and Saturday morning once again raised the water level in several communities.
While the water in the Mahaicony River was described as bearable, inhabitants are still suffering losses as flood waters in the backlands are where most of farmlands and livestock are located.
On Saturday, this newspaper was told that many farmers along the Mahaicony River had sold their current crop of “seed paddy” earlier that morning out of fear the flooding will destroy their future plots for rice cultivation. However, some farmers are undecided and are contemplating their next moves.
One such farmer explained that the backlands flooding has destroyed much of the cash-crop he had planted.
A female farmer, who preferred not to be named, explained that she too suffered losses due to the prolonged flooding. The woman explained that she lost three calves and a number of crops. The farmer estimated her losses in the vicinity of $800,000 and has appealed to be provided with food assistance.
Guyana Times learnt that a doctor will visit the Mora Health Centre today (Sunday) to assess the medical needs of residents there. This comes in light of reports that mosquitoes abounded, which affected adults and children.
Additionally, reports also surfaced that children suffered rashes and influenza.
It was only Thursday that a farmer of First Savannah, Mahaicony River, told this publication that one of his calves recently perished. He reiterated calls for a vet to visit the affected animals more regularly.
Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal had noted Thursday last that “a lot of work” needed to be done to alleviate the flooding. “The drains, the trenches need to be desilted,” he had stated.
The chairman had further noted that farmers, especially in Mahaicony, who have lost cash-crops are still calling for assistance to sustain their livelihood.
Ramphal had also posited that farmers have been facing challenges since the El Niño period, and are now getting affected by the flooding. On that basis, he had explained that farmers are hopeful they will be given the assistance they require.
“They are hoping that the Government will help them to get back on their feet again,” the chairman told this newspaper.
