…caused by heavy rains, broken pumps, clogged drains, silted outfalls, lack of fuel
…Govt distributes free sand bags; says measures taken to ensure minimum damage/losses
By Vanhu Manikchand
Residents throughout the country woke up to floodwaters in their homes and businesses following several hours of persistent heavy rainfall on Friday morning.
This comes mere months after Government boasted about no flooding in the city and other parts of the country after a massive wave cleanup exercises countrywide.
Following the much touted “Green Initiative” cleanup in the city, Government had said that the days of flooding in Georgetown were a thing of the past but an early Friday morning visit to in the city’s commercial hub saw business owners rushing to their premises to assess their losses while saving whatever items they could from the flood waters. Along the main commercial streets – Regent, Robb, Water and Charlotte -water filled onto the road and pavements.
This was the situation after following hours of persistent heavy rainfall in other zones in the city including residential areas. The floodwaters did not deter the usual season’s shopping craze in Georgetown ahead of the Christmas weekend.
The city was a “wet mess” as persons braved the rains to get in on their last minute Christmas shopping, while the roads were packed with vehicles stalled in traffic. Everyone was out with their rain boots and raincoats.
Broken pumps
Government had disclosed that two pumps in the Georgetown area were inoperable while noting that the Public Infrastructure Ministry is looking at alternative methods to drain the water. The Ministry stocked up on sand bags and was distrusting same to affected businesses and residents in the city.
Meanwhile, during a live programme on the State-owned National Communications Network (NCN) to update the public on efforts to minimise the adverse effects of the flooding, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson disclosed that the Lamaha Street and River View pumps were down. These two pumps are among five that are under the control of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC).
Minister Patterson explained that this was discovered by a team, which had been dispatched to conduct on-the-ground assessments early Friday morning. Nevertheless, the Minister noted that efforts are being undertaken to alleviate the flooding in the city.
To this end, Patterson noted that the Ministry will be mobilising additional pumps to assist the M&CC’s pumps. Two pumps were installed on Friday evening at locations at Muneshwer and Sussex Streets while two smaller pumps will be deployed within Georgetown, including in the Queenstown area. These pumps, he said, will operate to help pump the water into the main canals faster while works are carried out to the inoperable pumps.
On this note, the Minister explained that the Lamaha Street pump is expected to be back in operation by Friday evening while the Riverview pump will be up and running sometime today.
According to Minister Patterson, with these additionally pumps when the city sluices open around 04:00h this morning, there should be at least seven pumps working throughout the city to drain whatever flood water is lodging.
“Hopefully, without a large among of rainfall, we should be perfect by Christmas Day,” he noted.
Additionally, excavators have been deployed to the Cummings Street, Cowan Street and the Downer Street canals. Minister Patterson explained that this was done since during floods, a lot of debris from the environs enters into the drainage systems and restricted the flow of the water.
“The idea is to get water off as fast as possible to if anything restricts that, it has a multiplying effect onto the areas that are further away from the outfalls,” he said.
He added too that the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) is also in Albouystown, East Ruimveldt, and West Ruimveldt where emergency relief works are ongoing. Moreover, the Kitty pump station is also working normally despite the recent collapse.
More rains
Additionally, several communities in outer Georgetown as well as the East Bank and East Coast of Demerara along with some on the West Bank of Demerara were also inundated. Many of the drains and trenches overflowed.
In an early morning release, the Hydromet Department on Friday reported overcast skies throughout Guyana with moderate to heavy continuous rain. These conditions, it said, were expected to continue for six hours with intermittent rain and isolated thundershowers.
According to the Met Office, Guyanese should anticipate some 12 hours rainfall accumulation between 25.0 mm and 100.0 mm; however, some areas in Regions Two, Three and Four may likely exceed this total.
With the expected adverse weather conditions, residents of riverain, coastal and low lying areas are advised to exercise precautionary measures against possible flooding due to prevailing weather conditions.
On the other hand, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) said it is fully prepared to respond to any eventuality which may arise as a result of the rainy season, as pumps and excavators have been deployed countrywide.
In fact, NDIA Fredrick Flatts pointed out that 93 and 94 per cent of pumps and excavators respectively are operable and have been deployed to assist in drainage needs.
“Of the 58 pumps, 54 are working and have been deployed at critical locations to ensure water which has been accumulated recedes off the land within 24 hours,” he stated.
Flatts was expected to meet the City Engineer to see what assistance can be given where necessary, since the Hydromet Department has advised that rainfall is expected to continue today, and as much as 45mm is expected which is above the established drainage capacity within the city.
Govt position
Meanwhile, in a statement issued on Friday evening, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon said that while Georgetown and other parts of the country are currently experiencing flooding due to excessive rainfall coupled with the spring tide, the Government is taking every step to ensure that there is minimum loss or damage to property and expects the water to begin to recede once the tide changes, during the latter half of the day.
While in Opposition, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition had blasted the then People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) over the continuous flooding in the country particularly in Georgetown.
Upon entering into office last year, the coalition Government launched a massive clean-up campaign within the city, as well as several projects undertaken by the Public Infrastructure Ministry. It boosted that these efforts will prevent the usual flooding in the city.
In fact, back in March this year, Minister Patterson was confident during an interview with a local newspaper, that the ongoing drainage works in the city and around the country will be enough to fend off any flooding arising from the traditional rainy seasons. He had even pointed to an example of the city’s preparedness for flooding, when there was some heavy rainfall late last year but little flooding resulted.
On the other hand, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder also went into the field on Friday, visiting pump stations along the East Coast of Demerara to ensure sluice attendants were vigilant and that the pumps are being operated to full capacity.
Visits were made to pump stations and sluices located at Kitty, Liliendaal, Montrose, Lusignan and Buxton. During the visit it was evident that all pumps were operable and water is receding as expected.
“It has been an ongoing effort by our Government but as we make progress in this regard, there will be difficulties and there will be new challenges… throughout our country, we will continue to deal with the erratic weather that is taking place. But we also have to look to working with farmers; look at how we can make our farming activities, climate resilient,” Minister Holder stated.
In addition, visits were also made to affected communities along the coast where the Minister and his team interacted with residents, while updating them on Government’s plans to improve drainage and irrigation (D&I) along the coast.
