Gov’t allocates additional $80M to beef up drainage capacity
- About 40 pumps currently in operation
Georgetown, GINA, May 22, 2007
Government has allocated an additional $80M to purchase two drainage pumps that will further enhance the system’s capacity to deal with the current heavy rainfall period.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud, during an visit to the Montrose pump station, East Coast Demerara, today said the allocation was made at Cabinet’s meeting held at the Office of the President earlier in the day.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud and senior officials of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) at the Montrose pump station, East Coast Demerara.
He noted that these additional pumps are to ensure that the D&I system is fully geared to deal with excess rainfall currently being experienced particularly on the coastland. At present, there are more than 40 pumps operating countrywide, 30 of which are located along the East Coast Demerara.
The Minister pointed out that all stakeholders including the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) and the various Regional Administrations are collaborating and monitoring the situation.
A pump in operation at Montrose, East Coast Demerara.
He noted that once rainfall above the normal capacity is experienced there will be water accumulation, but aggressive efforts are being made to ensure quick withdrawal through the D&I system, supported by mobile pumps.
Reports of rainfall over the past 24 hours indicated that 2.5 inches were experienced in some areas while others recorded similar volumes. Overall, an average of three inches of rainfall were experienced on the coastland. This amount of rainfall, Minister Persaud said is likely to result in water accumulation especially in low-lying areas since the D&I system is designed to deal with 1.5 inches of rainfall at one time.
Updates from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) indicated that there are reports of water accumulating in low areas of Canal Number One and Two Polders, West Bank Demerara, with lower levels noted in other low-lying communities across the coastland.
In Region Four, there are reports of high waters in channels at Montrose, Better Hope, Courbane Park, Annandale, Lusignan and Anns Grove/Greenfield. However, all mobile pumps are operational while outfall channels will be excavated at Hope and Belfield. In addition, excavation of the pump basin at Victoria has been completed as well as repairs to the electrical fuse at Strathavon, Cane Grove.
In Georgetown, there are reports of flooding in Bourda and low areas of Sophia, Queenstown and South Georgetown. The City’s drainage and irrigation is the responsibility of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC). However, NDIA has already made contact with the M&CC to provide the necessary support that may be required during the rainy period. The City’s engineers have reported to the NDIA that drainage pumps at Riverview and Kingston are being repaired and will be completed later this week.
The level in the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) is currently under control at an average of 56 gd while discharge is being done though the five - door sluice at Land of Canaan and Kofi.
Constant monitoring is being done to ensure that the integrity of the conservancy is maintained. Sand bags were already prepared as part of an earlier emergency programme and are readily available to be placed on the dams, should the need arise.
Rainfall of the current volume is expected to continue over the next few days and residents especially those in low-lying areas are asked to take the necessary precautions. Persons are urged to desist from dumping garbage into the drains and canals and to report to the relevant authorities any situation that may led to further difficulties.
A hotline ( 227- 5049) has been established at the Ministry of Agriculture to accommodate citizens’ reports.
