Region 10 Vice-Chairman Mark Goring is warning that several riverine communities in Upper Demerara-Berbice could face conditions similar to the devastating 2021 floods if rising water levels continue, prompting calls for immediate intervention from national authorities.
Goring, who is now aligned with the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, continues to serve as Regional Vice-Chairman, a position he has held since the 2020 General and Regional Elections. He remains in office amid an ongoing impasse over the election of a Chairman and Vice-Chairman for the newly constituted Regional Democratic Council (RDC).
The deadlock followed the 2025 General and Regional Elections, which dramatically reshaped the political landscape in Region 10. WIN secured the largest share of votes in the region, positioning the party to claim the chairmanship of the council, with Goring widely expected to emerge as Chairman. However, the election of the RDC’s leadership remains unresolved, leaving the region without a newly elected chairman despite the swearing-in of councillors.
Goring has turned his attention to the worsening flood situation affecting communities in Kwakwani Waterfront, Lamp Island and Jeep Landing.
In a social media statement issued on Thursday following visits to the affected areas, Goring said water levels were rising rapidly and approaching those recorded during Guyana’s worst flooding disaster in recent history.
“Water levels are rising rapidly. Based on markings from the 2021 flood, we are 5 feet away from reaching that level again.”
The warning comes as persistent rainfall continues to affect communities across Region 10, raising concerns about displacement, agricultural losses and damage to property.
The 2021 floods affected all ten administrative regions and caused billions of dollars in damage to homes, farms, businesses and public infrastructure. Communities throughout Region 10 were among those impacted, with many residents forced to seek shelter and emergency assistance.
Goring is now calling on the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to take immediate action and deploy a rapid response team to set up shelters for affected residents.”
He also urged authorities to move quickly to assess losses suffered by farmers, many of whom have already reported damage to crops and livestock. He is urging the Ministry of Agriculture and the CDC to conduct immediate damage assessments for farmers in the affected areas. Many farmers have already reported losses of crops and livestock due to inundation. A compensation package is needed to assist with recovery and prevent long-term food security impacts in the region.”
In an update provided to Village Voice News on today, Goring said some relief measures had already been implemented, though water levels continued to rise following overnight rainfall.
According to Goring, a shelter was established on Staff Hill by the Regional Executive Officer, and three affected families have already been relocated.
“A shelter was set up on Staff hill by the Regional Executive Officer, in which they moved three families on Staff hill and I believe they would have handed over 25 hampers to the KNDC for distribution.”
He said overnight rains caused water levels to increase further.
“The water would have raised a little bit more overnight with the overnight rain.”
Goring added that the Regional Executive Officer has indicated that the Government will continue monitoring the situation and provide support to affected residents.
“According to the regional executive officer, the government will continue to assess the situation and will assist persons with cleaning supplies and food hampers and so forth.”
With rainfall continuing and floodwaters inching higher, concerns are mounting among residents and farmers in Region 10 that conditions could deteriorate further if the weather persists, placing additional pressure on vulnerable communities already grappling with the effects of inundation.
