Guyanese urged to prepare for intensive rainfall over next few days

Georgetown, GINA, February 20, 2008

Guyanese have been alerted to prepare for the intensive intermittent rainfall which is expected to prevail over the Coastal and upper regions of Guyana for the next few days.
            Residents have been urged to take the necessary precautions to ensure minimal effects of flooding.
            The call comes on the heel of Chief Meteorological Officer Bhaleka Seulall predicting intensive rainfall as a result of the natural phenomenon ‘La Nina’ which is expected to continue over the Coastal and inland regions of Guyana until March, 2008.
            According to Ms. Seulall , ‘La Nina’ generates wet conditions  as observed over the past few days which resulted in significant rainfall accumulation in the inland areas of Guyana resulting in flooded conditions in some low lying areas.’
            In preparation for the anticipated increase in rainfall over the next few days in the inland areas of Guyana especially from the sources of rivers, there is a 24-hour monitoring of drainage systems and facilities along the coastal plain by engineers from both the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) at the regional level, Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) and the Neighbour Democratic Council (NDC). These agencies are collaborating to ensure maximum efficiency and timely interventions to alleviate the effects of flooding.
            Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud in citing his Ministry’s preparedness to alleviate the effects of flooding, noted that forty-two pumps have been deployed and are functional along the Coastland especially in the most vulnerable low-lying areas to supplement the drainage systems.
He is also urging farmers and residents to become involved in the monitoring process by reporting abnormal increases in water levels to the Ministry of Agriculture via the hotline numbers: 225 8310, 223 7291, 227 5049, 226 6655, 227 2204 or text message to 691 0000.
            While on a visit to the East Coast Demerara to access operational efficiency of the drainages facilities there, Persaud expressed his concerns pertaining to the efficiency of the Montrose drainage pump facility located at Montrose, East Coast Demerara.
            He lamented that as a result of the increased water level and climate changes, the current system at Montrose, one of the largest drainage facilities along the East Coast Demerara, has become inefficient in draining the lands effectively.
            The facility has five massive drainage pumps, each with the capacity to drain 120 cubic feet water per second.
            However, it was observed that over the past two years there were problems with the infrastructure in that when there is Spring tide they have to physically remove those boards which take a lot of time and reduce the effectiveness of the ability and usefulness of those pumps.
Persaud assured residents that rehabilitative work to the value of $6M. will be executed shortly by GuySuCo.
            Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of NDIA, Lionel Wordswoth highlighted that the current increase in rainfall and the gradient flow of water from the inland regions of Guyana have caused some concerns pertaining to maintaining manageable levels in the East Demerara Water Conservancy and other conservancies along the Coast.
            However, he assured that all measures are being taken to ensure timely drainage of excessive water.

 

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