Intense rainfall recorded over past two days

Georgetown, GINA, June 28, 2007.

 Intense rainfall over the past two days has resulted in a slight increase in water levels in the Mahaica and Mahaicony Creeks, according to Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Lionel Wordsworth.

Over the past week, the situation had normalised and there were no reports of flooding or extreme cases of high waters in the coastal areas of Regions Two to Six. The situation has returned to normal at Canal Number One and Two Polders, West Bank Demerara. 

The only areas that continued to experience high water and flooding in some areas are the upper reaches of the Mahaica and Mahaicony Creeks although the situation had improved tremendously.

“For the past two to three days, what we have seen, is that the water level in these affected areas, basically the upper reaches of the Creeks was receding but it was happening at a slow rate because it still has to drain the back waters,” Wordsworth said.

Recent reports indicated a slight increase in the Creeks’ levels during yesterday and today. However, the Deputy CEO said this has not worsened the situation.

The recent rainfall also contributed to a minimal increase at the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC), which currently has an average of 57 gd. Discharge is continuing at Land-of-Canaan, Kofi and Cunia outlets.

Over the next two to three weeks, the NDIA will focus on conserving the water in the conservancy to cater for irrigation purposes.

Monitoring of the drainage and irrigation system is continuing countrywide and engineers are operating in Regions Two to Six and Ten to ensure that sluices and kokers are opened and closed on time and pumps are operated during tide lock periods.

The Mahaica and Mahaicony Creeks and the conservancies are still being monitored constantly. In addition, a command communication network has been established to ensure timely transmission of information.

Wordsworth noted that the rainy period is still not over and the forecast of 40 percent above normal rainfall is still being experienced. Forecast for the upcoming days indicates that the volume of rainfall experienced over the past two days will continue into the weekend along the coastland. It is expected that there will be a greater intensity of rainfall near inland locations.

Over the past two years, Government invested $3.8B to improve D&I countrywide with particular focus on vulnerable areas including the East Coast Demerara (ECD), Region Four and the Mahaica, Mahaicony and Abary (MMA) areas in Region Five. Approximately 30 mobile pumps have been installed along the ECD while more than $790M in equipment was purchased to improve D&I in the MMA areas.