By Shemuel Fanfair
Residents and farmers in various communities in Region Five (Mahacia-Berbice) are finally getting some relief
as floodwaters began receding, though slowly.
Guyana Times learnt that the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) in collaboration with Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary/Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) deployed excavators to the affected areas to relieve the flooding. Additionally, small tractor driven pumps are also operational. However, this newspaper was told Bush Lot Village needed excavation due to clogged drains with overgrown weeds.
On Saturday a medical team was deployed to the indigenous settlement of Moraikobai to assist in the outbreak of water borne diseases. According to reports, persons in the village complained of itches about the body.
Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal told this publication on Saturday that the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) is closely monitoring this situation. It was explained that flood waters remained high in this particular community.
The chairman further noted that a team visited several communities along the Mahaicony River, most of which have flood waters remaining.
Ramphal related that because of the flooding in Moraikobai, villages such as Mora Point, Pine Ground and Gordon Table are also flooded. Many farmers in these villages said they have lost cash crops while their livestock continues to be threatened.
The regional head stressed that many houses in the Mahaicony area are also under water and noted that some rice crops have been affected. It was explained that some residents are calling for government officials to meet with them and address their concerns over the prolonged flooding.
Regional officials met with residents of Moraikobai on Tuesday after reports surfaced that residents were expressing that more should be done to address their concerns. Guyana Times reported Thursday that in Trafalgar, the canal and sluice were heavily silted up.
Guyana Times was told that the NDIA would have provided an additional pump, which was done.
Almost two weeks ago, reports surfaced of flooding in Lovely Lass, Mahaica, due to a faulty pump installed by MMA/ADA. It was noted that the heavy downpours caused this situation to escalate to the point where some roads had begun to deteriorate.
Over the last few weeks, Guyana Times has been highlighting the challenges communities in Region Five have been facing as a result of flooding.
A breached dam along the Perth Canal in Branch Road, Mahaicony, led to significant acreages of rice lands being inundated last month. Farmers there had the costly undertaking of pumping the water out of their rice lands.
