May-June rains expected to be above normal – Hydromet

The May-June rainy season in Guyana has commenced and rainfall through this period is expected to be above normal. Chief Hydrometeorological Officer, Dr Garvin Cummings is advising that the necessary precautionary measures be taken as the season unfolds.

Above normal rainfall can result in severe flooding along the coastline, affecting major economic activities, especially in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). However, Cummings indicated that even though the rainy period will be extended to the end of July, there has not been a specified time frame for above normal precipitation.

“We don’t have specific dates per say in terms of what days might have extreme rainfall. That would require continuous monitoring which the National Weather Watch does. Based on this mandate however, what we are expecting for this rainfall season is above normal rainfall which means that the rainfall quantities that we are expecting are above the long-term average or the 30-year average, so we are expecting a wet season or more above average in terms of the amount of rainfall that we would have,” Dr Cummings said.

The necessary stakeholders including the Public Health and Public Infrastructure Ministries, as well as the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), have been furnished with the necessary data and information needed to effectively address flooding. The information is provided, and it is left up to the relevant authorities to make the necessary interventions.

“On Friday (April 28) we held the National Climate Outlook Forum where we shared our seasonal forecast with our major stakeholders across the country, so I believe all stakeholders are up-to-date with regard to what we are expecting for the rainfall season this year,” Dr Cummings added.

The Hydrometeorological Service of the Agriculture Ministry is mandated to observe, archive and understand Guyana’s weather and climate patterns providing meteorological and hydrological services in support of Guyana’s national needs and international obligations.