Interventions to reduce flooding underway

The Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) of Regions Five, Six and Ten are already making interventions to reduce flooding due to the seasonal rains.

Communities across the regions have been affected as the mid-November to January rains begin.

Upper Demerara-Berbice (Region Ten) Chairman, Mr. Deron Adams, said 100 families have experienced flooding in their homes. A few communities were also inundated and there was property damage and one reported case of loss of livestock.

Mr. Adams said the flooding was reported to the Mayor, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA).

The CDC said First, Second and Third Alley, Wismar Shore, are most affected with some 360 residents experiencing flooding.  Flooding also occurred at Retrieve and Rainbow City and there are reports of erosion in Blueberry Hill.  Some 180 of those affected are still inundated. There was also overtopping at the dyke and flooding in Amelia’s Ward due to clogged drains.

The CDC distributed cleaning and sanitising hampers to the affected residents.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Mahaica-Berbice (Region Five) RDC, Mr. Vickchand Ramphal said approximately 250 households suffered flooding in their yards and the bottom storeys of their homes in Rosignol, De Edward, Cotton Tree and Bush Lot.

He noted that interventions started yesterday and further steps were being taken today. A mini excavator was deployed to affected communities.

Further, in Rosignol, a tractor-drawn pump and long-boom excavator were deployed while a mini excavator was sent to Cotton Tree and De Edward to help clear the drains. He said there is no major damage, but there was minimal loss of cash crops. Additionally, the water is receding and the affected areas are in a better state.

Mr. Ramphal also highlighted that the CDC distributed sanitising hampers.

Regional Engineer of East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six) Mr. Bishan Dalip reported minor flooding in the Whim area. He said the NDIA is helping to clear outfall channels in Whim and Bloomfield. There was no report of damage to property or loss of livestock.

There were no reports of flood in the Upper and Lower Corentyne, New Amsterdam nor East Bank Berbice.