-citizens warned to take precautionary measures

THE Hydromet Department of the Ministry of Agriculture is currently monitoring a weather pattern over the Atlantic. The Ministry’s Advisory states: Should it persist, this pattern could result in overnight rainfall of up to 50mm being recorded in Regions 2, 3, 4 and the northern portion of Region 6. 
The country’s drainage system is certainly not designed to accommodate such a high amount of water, and should that weather pattern continue, some communities could inevitably experience flooding.

This situation is presently being monitored by all relevant stakeholders, and an emergency D&I team is on standby to ensure that the situation remains under control.

Measures taken thus far by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) include:
1.  Monitoring of ALL emergency drainage structures to ensure they are functional.

2.  Ensuring koker operators open and close sluice doors on time

3. Ensuring that all equipment is functional in the event of having to be pressed into
emergency works

4. Cleaning of canals and drainage structures through collaboration with regional bodies

IMPORTANT:

– There is a 70% chance that the rainfall predicted above would occur, as against a 30% chance that it would decrease (below 50mm)

HIGH TIDES:
The spring tide will be in effect until February 05, 2014. Residents of riverine, coastal and low-lying areas are advised to exercise precautionary measures against possible flooding due to above normal high tides.

Forecast, Friday, January 31, (evening) to Thursday, February 06, 2014 (day)
Tonight and tomorrow, cloudy to overcast conditions with occasional showers and intermittent rain expected over Regions 2 to 5, north of Region 6 and over Region 7. Elsewhere would experience cloudy conditions with scattered showers expected. Rainfall is expected to range between 5.0 and 45.0 mm in Regions 2 to 5, north of Region 6 and over Region 7. Elsewhere 0.1 to 15.0 mm. Occasional moderate to heavy wind gusts are expected over Regions 2 to 5, north of Region 6 and over Region 7. Highest rainfall amounts are expected over Region 2 to 4 & 7.

On Sunday, cloudy conditions with scattered showers are expected over coastal regions. Elsewhere, there will be partly cloudy conditions with isolated showers.
For Monday and the remainder of the forecast period, mainly fair conditions interrupted by brief showers are expected across Guyana. Rainfall is expected to range between 0.1 and 10.0 mm within a 24hr period.

(By Michel Outridge)