As the torrential downpours across the country persist, several communities continue to experience intermittent flooding.
Over the past few days, areas in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) have seen rising water levels, which pose a great threat to much of the rice crop in the district.
Rice lands threatened by high water levels in Region Five
On Tuesday, farmers from villages in the Mahaicony area informed Guyana Times that they were monitoring the high water level in the Mahaicony River. They explained that their rice crop was not inundated during this recent spate of downpours; however, should the rains continue at the current rate, the River would overflow its banks and flood their farms.
<<<Guyana Times>>> understands that rice lands in Mahaica and Burma are also affected. When contacted for an update on the Region’s response to the flood situation, Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphall informed this publication that the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) was actively monitoring the unfolding events.
According to the RDC Chairman, floodwaters remain in the communities of Trafalgar, Number 30 Village, Foulis, Belladrum and Paradise, while floodwaters in other areas have receded.
The Chairman explained that he, along with Vice Chairman Rion Peters and other councillors of both the RDC and the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), came out over the Christmas holidays (December 25 and 26) to meet with farmers and residents in the various communities.
Guyana Times
was also told that National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary/Agricultural Development Authority (MMA-ADA) were informed, and were addressing the situation.
The heavy rains began last Friday – a 12-hour long heavy downpour, coupled with clogged drains, silted outfalls, broken pumps, and more rain over the weekend, inundated several parts of the country, including the capital city Georgetown; Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); Region Five and Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). Several farmers in these Regions have reported damage to cash crops and livestock.
Responding to the situation last week, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo called on Government to implement the necessary measures to bring immediate relief to those affected by ensuring that steps were taken to minimise damage to property, livestock and agricultural crops as well as losses. He had also urged the Government to pay special attention to the rising water level in the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC), which was reported to be above 57 GD level, as well as the Boerasirie Conservancy. The Opposition Leader noted that the areas along the Mahaica and Mahaicony Creeks, Pomeroon River and other inland areas should receive attention as backwater flows can result in downstream flooding, which is the predominant trend in riverine areas.
Jagdeo said too that the defective sluices and silted outfall channels in areas such as Capoey, Cozier, Three Friends, Letter Kenny and Borlam must be urgently addressed and operationalised, as well as those on the East Coast of Demerara, Georgetown and other areas, as necessary.
Coastal areas such as Lima, sections of Henrietta and Hampton Court, Capoey, Land of Plenty in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Canals Polder, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); and residential and agricultural areas of Anns Grove/Two Friends, Cane Grove, Good Hope, Mon Repos, Lusignan, Foulis within Region Four were also affected by flooding last week. (Shemuel Fanfair)
