THE Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary/ Agriculture Development Authority (MMA/ADA) continues intense monitoring of the situation in the Abary, Mahaicony and Mahaica Creeks. The heavy incessant rainfall, along with the emergency discharge from the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) through the Maduni sluice, has resulted in rising water levels in these creeks.

In addition to the year-long flood reduction activities in the creeks, a number of critical interventions have been initiated to reduce the impact, particularly on cultivation areas. These include:

MMA/ADA ABARY BERBICE:
•         Rehabilitation of conservancy dam at selected locations 2.75 miles.

•         Replacement of two gates at D’Edward sluice and the east end of Façade drain.

•         Rehabilitation of the secondary drainage channels, 213 miles from Profit to D’Edward.

•         Installation of 3×36” tubes to drain D’Edward-Rosignol area into BD 16 at Cotton Tree.

MAHAICONY-ABARY:
•         Construction of greenheart timber revetment and earthen embankment at Little Abary and Park sluices.

•         Complete re-engineering and reconstruction of Bellamy Canal from Mahaicony River to Abary River (approx five miles).

•         Rehabilitation and construction of new channels to serve the ‘Libyan’ area of approximately 2,000 acres within MARDS.

•         Empoldering of approximately 10,000 acres between Mora Point and First Savannah on the Right Bank of the Mahaicony River.

•         Installation of 2×36” HDPE tubes from Simpson drain into Hyde Park drain.

MAHAICA-MAHAICONY:
•         Complete re-engineering and re-construction of Bellamy canal from Cottage to Farm on Mahaicony end and from Planters Hall to Spring Hall on Mahaica side (approx 12 miles).

•         Reconstruction of eight major drainage channels from Industry canal to Bellamy canal, including Sarah/Drill, Bushy Park/Perseverance, Cottage/Planter’s Hall, Des Kinderen/Zeeland; Fairfield/Broomhall and Dantzic/Columbia (approx 19.5 miles).

•         Rehabilitation and extension of Industry canal from Mahaica River to Mahaicony River (approx nine and a half miles), and installation of tubes at Sarah/Drill and Fairfield/Broomhall.

•         Extension of Perth Biaboo main canal from Perth to Industry canal (approx two and a half miles)

•         Reconstruction of Washclothes canal and flood embankments from the Left Bank of Mahaicony River to Perth Biaboo canal (six miles)

•         The re-engineering and re-construction of Perth/Biaboo main canal from Washclothes to Perth (ongoing). At present 1.2 miles has been completed.

•         Rehabilitation of secondary canals and drains including Rutherford, Yankee, Handsome Tree branch, Pandit and Poorfellow channels (11.5 miles)

Other works included:
•         Rehabilitation of Bellamy West End Sluice at Spring Hall, Mahaica.

•         Repairs to Bellamy Sluice at Farm, Mahaicony.

•         Cleaning of 12 miles of Mahaica and Mahaicony Rivers

•         In the Mahaica and Mahaicony Rivers, over 380 farmers and residents have benefited individually with 16 hours of excavation works to empolder cultivation areas and build high spots for livestock.

Further, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and the MMA/ADA have also undertaken critical interventions during the current rainy season to minimise flooding and secure threatened crops and livestock.

Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud and technical teams have been visiting the rivers to assess the situation and explore forms of support and assistance especially after the water would have receded.

With the forecast for more rains, Minister Persaud has described the situation as “alarming” and “can worsen”.

However, he noted that the MMA/ADA and the Region Five Administration have assured full support in managing this grave situation in the three rivers which are among the most vulnerable to flooding during any active rainy season.

Already, the Ministry has designed a recovery programme to help farmers affected by the current historic levels of rainfall.

Farmers in the upper reaches of Mahaicony and Mahaica Rivers were encouraged to relocate with help from Government. Some residents of Mahaica River have since moved to Hope, East Coast Demerara.

Additionally, the East Demerara Water Conservancy Board (EDWC) is appealing to all resort owners along the Linden/Soesdyke Highway to remove all impediments on the various creeks which are vital for the removal of excess water from the EDWC.