Pumps deployed to relieve flooding in affected communities in Region Three by Agri. Minister

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has admitted that persistent rainfall across parts of
Guyana’s Coast over the last 48 hours has left many homes in several communities in Region
Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) inundated.
During an assessment visit to Zeelugt and Meten-Meer-Zorg, two of the most affected
communities on Tuesday afternoon, Mustapha told residents that systems have already been put
in place to relieve flooding in the area. Mustapha while there visited some of the homes of
residents who were affected to get a first-hand look at the impact of the flooding. Several
residents related to the minister that there was an urgent need for a large drainage pump to be
sent to the areas to assist with draining the land as the sluices were only able to operate when the
tide was low.

The agriculture minister noted told the affected residents that after receiving reports that several
communities were flooded, he has ensured that systems have since been put in place to have two
pumps sent to the affected areas to complement the sluices. “From the level of the NDIA, two
pumps will be sent to these areas. One will be placed permanently at the De Kinderen Sluice and
the other will be placed at Zeelugt temporarily until the water recedes. After that, I’ll be coming
back to these areas with our engineers to see what interventions can be made so that we can
avoid or at least minimize future flooding,” Mustapha said.
Additionally, while discussing how pollution continues to contribute to flooding in many
communities, the Minister pleaded with residents to desist from flooding. “These areas are very
low areas and water from the high lands will always accumulate in these low-lying areas. Also,
the amount of garbage that we’ve seen in the drainage systems is also contributing to the severe
flooding that residents are experiencing. I am therefore pleading with you the residents to desist
from throwing garbage into the drains. When these bottles and other things find themselves in
the pumps, they cause massive damage to those pumps,” Mustapha explained. Along with the
pumps, an excavator is also scheduled to commence works in the areas to clear clogged
waterways that continue to impede the flow of water.
Minister Mustapha also reminded residents that, as was previously announced by the ministry’s
Hydromet Department, heavy and persistent rainfall is expected over the next few weeks and that
they should take the necessary precautions to protect their homes. He pointed out to residents
that from the level of the Flood-Response Taskforce, the Civil Defence Commission will be
engaged so that cleaning supplies can be distributed to those affected.