A heavy and prolonged downpour yesterday morning caused flooding in some commercial and residential areas in Georgetown, as well as in a few coastal communities.

In what has become a common scenario, many persons in the capital city of Georgetown woke up to flooded yards and lower flats, streets, and roads due to the heavy, incessant rainfall which began in the wee hours of the morning.
High levels of water were evident in several city streets and walkways, while floodwaters were seen up to the doors of some businesses and also garbage flowed in many waterways which has been a contributor to the flooding in some areas.

Some areas such as Albouystown, Wortmanville, Cummingsburg, Queenstown, and Alberttown were flooded. However, despite the heavy rainfall which lasted until the late hours in the morning, the water in the city begun to recede by early yesterday afternoon with light showers experienced during the afternoon.
Yesterday being a national holiday, those working were spared the hassle and inconvenience of going about their daily activities in floodwaters; however, some persons did not allow the rain to dampen their moods and were seen braving the inclement weather and going about their day’s activities.
When Guyana Chronicle visited some communities along the East Coast of Demerara, it was obvious that the heavy rainfall did not really affect those communities since the

pumps were operational, including the one at Montrose.
Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, in an invited comment to the Guyana Chronicle, said that the pumps along the East Coast of Demerara are working, however, in Georgetown, two pumps are down.
The minister, who visited several of the pump sites and sluices yesterday said so far they have managed to control the situation and avoid major flooding outside of Georgetown, and assured that his ministry is doing all they can to mitigate the problem.

A press release from the Ministry of Agriculture on Monday had warned that: “The latest weather data leads us to believe that coastal areas of Guyana, particularly, Regions 1 (Barima/Waini) to 4 (Demerara/Mahaica) might experience heavy showers during the next 24 hours”.
It had issued an advisory to persons to please take necessary precautionary measures with dealing with possible flooding in certain low- lying areas.
Meanwhile, in an updated advisory yesterday morning, it said that moderate to heavy thundershowers and intermittent rain accompanied by occasional gusty winds are affecting coastal and some inland regions with rainfall expected to be greater than 40.0 mm in these regions.
It said that these conditions were expected to continue for the next 12 -24 hours while a flash flood warning is in effect for flood-prone areas within Regions 1 to 4.
Also, it said that a spring tide advisory is in effect as residents of coastal, riverine, and low-lying areas are advised to take precautions. High tide was expected to be at 14:56 hrs yesterday at 2.78 metres with waves and sea conditions moderate to rough reaching heights of 2.7 to 3.0 metres in open waters.
A weather brief from the Hydrometeorological Service said yesterday the highest rainfall of 84.4 mm was recorded at Georgetown while cloudy to overcast skies with moderate to heavy showers and isolated thundershowers were observed over coastal and some inland areas and other regions observed mostly cloudy skies with light to moderate showers.
It said, today, cloudy to overcast skies are expected with moderate to heavy showers and light, intermittent rain over Regions 1 to 5 (Mahaica/Berbice) while other regions can expect mostly cloudy skies with moderate showers. Thundershowers are likely over some coastal areas. Rainfall is expected to range between 20.0 mm and 60.0 mm over Regions 1 to 5. The highest is expected over Regions 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam), 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) and 4 while other regions can expect rainfall values between 5.0 mm and 20.0 mm.

Tomorrow, mostly cloudy skies are expected with occasional, light to moderate showers over coastal areas. Other regions can expect partly cloudy to cloudy skies with scattered showers and rainfall amounts are likely between 20.0 mm and 40.0 mm over coastal areas. The highest is expected over Regions 2, 3, and 4 while other regions can expect values between 5.0 mm and 15.0 mm.
On Friday, it said, cloudy to overcast at times with moderate to heavy showers are expected over coastal and some near inland locations while other regions can expect mostly cloudy skies with scattered showers.
Rainfall amounts are likely between 15.0 mm and 35.0 mm over coastal areas with the highest expected over Regions 1 to 4.

(By Priya Ali)