Minister Persaud assures Ministry prepared for flash flooding
AGRICULTURE Minister Robert Persaud said that while Region 9 (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) is feeling the brunt of the May/June rains, currently, the coastland can expect flash flooding as the rainy season continues. Speaking at a media briefing Monday, he assured, however, that his ministry is prepared for the eventuality.
Mr. Persaud explained that Guyana’s drainage systems are geared to deal with 1.5 inches of rainfall and in excess of two inches at any one time can cause flash floods.
Earlier this year, during the La Nina phenomenon, the coastland endured between six and eight inches of rainfall, which affected crops and people’s livelihoods.
The current ongoing construction works on the new northern relief channel at Hope/Dochfour, East Coast Demerara, is expected to boost the drainage capacity of the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) and provide relief to the Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary communities during periods of prolonged and heavy rainfall.
“We, in the agriculture sector, live from one rainy season to the other and a number of measures are in place to deal with heavy, prolonged rains,” Persaud reiterated.
He noted that the drainage and irrigation (D&I) capacity has improved from 2005 to now and the fact that Guyana was able to stave off any disaster is reflective of the improvements and that general investments in infrastructure have paid off.
Persaud said stakeholder agencies, including the Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA), have reviewed and updated their response plans and are ready for the heavy rains.
He observed that the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) continues to move from South toward the Atlantic Ocean but once that changes and it moves North, the Coast can expect more rains.
Acting Chief Hydromet Officer, Mr. Garvin Cummings advised that, as long as the ITCZ remains South, the Coast can expect fairly good weather.