Rainbow City residents plead for help due to flooding

ꟷ says blocked Hymara Creek poses imminent threat

With flood warnings being issued for various areas across the country, residents of Rainbow City in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) are presently inundated as a result of blockage of the Hymara Creek.

According to residents, the issue arises owing to the failure of the relevant authorities to have the creek dug and regularly maintained.
With the inclement weather, the situation is seriously affecting residents in the community located in Mackenzie. Shedding light on the issue, resident Ron Allicock explained that there were blockages in the area that were affecting the smooth flow of the water.
“We, the residents of Rainbow City, are being plagued by constant flooding due to the Hymara Creek not being maintained. The creek needs digging, so the water can run off. This is what plaguing we and causing the flooding. You see the water can’t pass as it should. So, with all this that build up here, it causing a back-up of water,” Allicock explained while pointing to blockages in the area.
“So, we need Bosai or Town Council or CDC (Civil Defence Commission), the relevant authorities to just step in and help us here in Rainbow City,” the resident appealed.
This has been the cry of residents for years, as the area has been affected by severe flooding which has led to tremendous losses. As Allicock pointed out, residents are now in dire need of assistance.
“This is what causing all the blockage and the flooding here. The water can’t come out properly from in this street and it’s backing up that way,” he disclosed.
“This is the part heading towards the river. The water barely got a little passage there. So that is what we really need help with,” the resident lamented.
Several other residents in the community also registered their concerns over the issue.
“I have been experiencing this year now … about two weeks ago most of my stuff got damaged … it’s a sad situation … Years ago, I know the creek was dug twice a year to accommodate the flooding … hope better can be done for the residents of Rainbow City. This situation is overbearing over the years … Please note a ‘million’ reports were given to all the authorities,” the resident stressed.
According to residents, there needs to be regular maintenance of the creek area in order to avoid flooding.

“Twice a year Hymara has to be dug, but I don’t know what happen to those in authority. It seems no one care any more about that,” yet another resident stressed.
The Rainbow City and neighbouring Kara Kara areas have been affected by major flooding in times past. After a severe flood in the areas in 2016, it was revealed by officials that this was as a result of blockage of the Hymara Creek. This was reportedly caused by heavy garbage build-up and thick vegetation. The authorities subsequently desilted the creek.