IN wake of heavy rainfall affecting several regions on the coastline, technical teams and equipment have been deployed to affected areas. The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has been working extensively to bring the situation back to normalcy.

Crops and veterinary officers from the Ministry of Agriculture had been deployed to various regions to aid farmers and extension officers have also been working with regional officials.

Water has been receding in the majority of the regions.

REGIONAL UPDATE:

** Region 2
Regional Chairman, Ali Baksh, said that there was good weather and that the water was receding. Six pumps, he noted, were deployed to Andrews, Perth, Charity, Unu Creek, Lima and Anna Regina.

In the Pomeroon River, he stated, excavation work was being carried out at the Cozier sluice and clearing of the outfall channel leading to the River continued. He added that the internal drainage ways in Cozier were being cleared.

The Regional Chairman remarked that out of 32,500 acres of cultivation area, only 220 acres were affected.

** Region 3
Regional Chairman, Julius Faerber yesterday said that water was receding but as a result of heavy rainfall over the weekend areas such as Ruimzeigt, Windsor Forest, La Jalousie and Blankenburg were affected. In these areas, he stated, excavators were being deployed.

Excavation was continuing at Canal No. 2 Polder main drain.

However, the Regional Chairman remarked that farmers were removing boards from the intake at the Parika/Ruby area which was creating flooding in those areas. The boards have since been replaced.

He said there was heavy siltation in the Windsor Forest/Blankenburg area and pumps were deployed. Farmers were also assisting to remove silt.

** Region 4
According to the Regional Chairman, Clement Corlette, he said the situation could be described as normal since they were few complaints with respect to flooding. One minor complaint was at Buxton where water was overflowing from a dam but NDIA and the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) were moving to have it resolved.

** Region 5
According to Vice Chairman, Karran Persaud Deokarran, water was receding from the residential areas. Within a week, he said, the water in the Mahaica/Mahaicony Creek areas would recede.

Clearing of two outfalls at Now or Never and Dantzig were continuing and at the moment he added 12 outfall channels are working well. The sluice at Bellamy is also working.

In the Mahaicony Creek, he noted, that four pumps were operational in areas under rice cultivation.

** Region 6
Regional Chairman, Zulfikar Mustapha, said that water was receding rapidly but in No. 19 there was some amount of water. A sluice and pump were operational at Seawell and some of the water was pumped into the GuySuCo canal.

Four excavators were also working in the area which was diverting the water to the eastern end through the Borlam outfall. A pump was also placed at the eastern side of the village.

The Regional Chairman said that the water was receding but because of some 3.5 inches of rainfall recorded on Sunday this had prevented the water level from lowering.

He stated that health teams as well as extension officers from the Ministry of Agriculture had visited the area.

In the Belvedere area, he said, excavation work was being carried out since it was affected by heavy rainfall.

At Black Bush Polder, since the breach was sealed, water has been receding while in the Manchester/Alness areas excavation work was done to the internal drains.

The Regional Chairman remarked that an area of concern was Angoy’s Avenue and the town council was not addressing it, as such he had deployed technical personnel to assess the situation.

At the moment, he said, 11 irrigators along with eight hydroflow pumps with a drainage capacity of 18, 000 to 35, 000 gallons a minute were deployed to the region. He added that all the sluices were operational.

** Region 10
Regional Chairman, Mortimer Mingo, confirmed yesterday that no area in the region was affected by accumulation of water from heavy rainfall.