More than 300 residents of the community of Kwakwani, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), continue to be affected by high levels of floodwater forcing the Opposition to call for the Government to provide immediate relief to the affected residents.
These houses are threaten by water levels as high as 8 feet
“The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) expresses its concern regarding the flood situation in Kwakwani, Region 10, where residents have been faced with untold suffering as a result of the accumulation of water in their homes and villages. This has been compounded by the deterioration of roads, bridges and other critical transportation infrastructure across Region 10. The Party is, therefore, calling on the APNU+AFC Government to take all measures that will bring speedy relief in an effort to alleviate the situation,” the Party said in a statement.
The flooding started over the weekend owing to heavy rainfall. Persons living on Lamp Island and the Waterfront are the most severely affected, but according to acting Director of the Guyana Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Major Kester Craig, there is no need for emergency shelters at this time.
On Saturday, the residents told Guyana Times that the water, which is at dangerously high levels, submerging some vehicles and homes, was showing no signs of receding.
“The rain still falling hard and the water not going anywhere. We have to make sure that we save our things and so on, but the flooding is mostly to the Waterfront and Lamp Island,” resident James Andries said.
The affected areas are said to be low-lying with residents being given the option to move, but they have not taken up that offer. However, a team would have visited the community on Friday, and representatives from the Agriculture and Public Health Ministries discovered that livestock and farmland were affected. The medical team visited the Kwakwani Public Hospital to determine if anyone was suffering from any disease or was hospitalised as a result of the flooding, but they found none.
According to a Regional official from the community, over 100 households are affected by the floods. However, Regional Chairman Renis Morian on Friday indicated that the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) was unaware of the situation as it unfolded, despite having regional officials stationed in the community.
Residents have complained of damage to household appliances and belongings on account of the flood situation, which they believe was caused by the inclement weather and overtopping of the Berbice River. The community has reportedly been experiencing significant high tides since last weekend.
The Regional Chairman said there was need to understand the backdrop against which the flooding was taking place, as he pointed out that owing to increased rainfall, there was presently overtopping at the River. He said those affected were mainly from low-lying areas. He warned that should persons continue to live in such areas, they would experience flooding.
For now, the residents are taking all the necessary precautions to ensure that the damage is as minimal as possible. Residents are utilising boats as their primary mode of transportation, since most of the roads are inundated.
