Poor infrastructure management contributing to floods, disruption in lives, destruction of properties

The Government of Guyana, through the Civil Defence  Commission (CDC), has responded to several reports of flooding over the past few days  countrywide. These impacts are due to consistent rainfall and over-topping of  waterways. 

Region 10 (Upper Demerara – Upper Berbice) has confirmed that a number of  communities have been affected by flood waters, but those waters are receding. More  than a total of three hundred (300) households and farmlands have been impacted thus  far in areas such as Wismar, Mackenzie, Christianburg, West Watooka, Hymara Creek,  and Green Valley. Rockstone is also impacted by rising water levels from the Essequibo  River. At least one family has evacuated their home temporarily.  

The CDC has dispatched a team to the Region to conduct a thorough assessment of the  affected communities, and to deliver cleaning supplies to the Regional Authorities. Other  government agencies are also on the ground providing mitigative measures to the  residents.  

Region 9 (Upper Takutu – Upper Essequibo) is also experiencing consistent and  significant flood impacts. Potarinau, in South Central Rupununi, is flooded almost  entirely. Other communities such as Aishalton, Parishara and Nappi Village are affected  as well. Some access roads and bridges in areas such as Kurupukari are covered by flood  waters. An assessment team is currently on the ground in the Region working with town  and village personnel to determine the extent of the impact and the required response  efforts. 

Region 4 (Demerara – Mahaica) has reports emanating from three villages. Those are  Mocha Arcadia, where several farms have been impacted; and Adventure Village on the  Linden – Soesdyke Highway, where at least eight (8) households were impacted due to  flash floods; and Little Diamond, where persons have since been relocated to an alternate housing site. Residents of Little Diamond today received a quantity of cleaning hampers,  mosquito nets and buckets, as they await a recession of the flood waters.  

Regions 5 (Mahaica – Berbice), 6 (East Berbice – Corentyne), and 7 (Cuyuni – Mazaruni) have indicated that farming areas and some households have been impacted as well.  Residents of Black Bush Polder in Region 6 have received cleaning hampers from their  Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), which were supplied by the CDC.  Moraikabai in Region 5 is also under close observation and waterways there have over topped.  

Residents are urged to be cautious during this period and to report any impacts to local  authorities or the National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) on 600-7500 at any  time