-water level stabilises as rains ease
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds in an update on the flood situation in Region Nine, told the Government Information Agency (GINA) yesterday that it appears that the rise in the water level has been more or less stabilized, with some areas showing a little increase and others a slight decrease. “We’re hoping that the rain will slow for a couple of weeks and the water level will come down,” he added.
The Prime Minister  pointed out that the Takutu river is flowing very strongly allowing the water to move away; however, just as much water is coming down from further south towards the Lethem area and flowing away towards the Rio Branco and the Amazon.
He disclosed that works are on-going for the possible re-opening of the Linden/Lethem road by this weekend; if not, the supplies in Region nine may start running out.
Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn, made a fly- over the northern side of the region with a Remote Areas Medical Services (RAMS) plane to assess the condition of the road between Lethem and Annai.
“People are coping well at this moment. Maybe about 60 families in Lethem have been evacuated and reports are coming in daily from the 60 plus villages in Region nine. Generally, they range from Sand Creek, which is quite low and where maybe eight houses have collapsed and their farms seem to be all compromised,” Mr. Hinds indicated.
He disclosed that the health personnel are getting some reinforcements to aid effective delivery of health care. Apart from the presence of RAMS, the Health Ministry has dispatched several medex from Georgetown to the region.
Minister within the Ministry of Health Dr Bheri Ramsaran told GINA today, that there has not been any reported case of water borne diseases, but the ministry is not being complacent.
Four doctors and seven medex were deployed to the area, complementing the 59 Community Health Workers who are based in the 62 villages of the region. Two other medex will be deployed beginning today.
PM Hinds explained that currently, there is concern for the animals that need grazing areas. 
A similar flooding situation has also been reported in neighbouring Brazil, particularly in the State of Roraima which declared a state of emergency last Tuesday.
In Guyana, efforts to deliver relief to the affected citizens have been intensified over the last two days with the movement of government officials into the region to give support.
An Emergency Response Centre has been established at the Regional Guest House in Lethem, and it is coordinating shelters, food and medical supplies, crop and livestock assistance, transportation and communication among other activities.
The response team comprises technical and field representatives of Government, Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Health, Public Works, the Business Community in Region nine, and Guyana Red Cross Society and volunteers.
(GINA)