– going into July, some rain days expected, but systems in place – Persaud says
The Inter-tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), according to the most recent reports from the Hydromet Office, is now across central Guyana in Regions 6 (East Berbice/ Corentyne), 7 (Cuyuni/Mazaruni), 8 (Potaro/Siparuni) and 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice). And Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, in an invited comment, said the May/June rainy season is expected to end in another few weeks.
He said, “The ICTZ system is rotating from north to south…the coastal rainy season should start weakening in a few weeks. In other words we can expect the rainy season to end in the coming weeks.”
However, Persaud noted that as we move into July, some rain days are expected and he maintained that systems are in place to address this.

STRONG DRAINAGE SYSTEMS
“So far, on the coast, the drainage system has held up and very soon the emphasis will be on managing water for irrigation purposes as we head into July,” the Agriculture Minister said.
Turning his attention to southern Guyana, which was devastated by floods in the past weeks, Persaud stated that no current alarming level of rainfall is expected in the next weeks.
“Good weather will assist in the recovery efforts, particularly in road building and farming,” Persaud said.
However, he said precautions will be taken in the event of changes.

FLASH FLOODS
Persaud added that, the ministry is prepared for the eventuality of flash flooding during the rain days that are expected.
He explained that Guyana’s drainage systems are geared to deal with 1.5 inches of rainfall, and rainfall in excess of two inches at any one time can cause flash flooding.
Earlier this year, during  La Nina phase, the coast battled with some six and eight inches of rainfall, which affected crops and 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 EDWC and provide relief to the Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary and East Coast Demerara communities during periods of prolonged and heavy rainfall, as is being experienced.
“We (in the agriculture sector) live from one rainy season to the other…a number of measures are in place to deal with heavy, prolonged rains,” Persaud said.
Persaud contends that the drainage and irrigation capacity has improved from 2005 to now, and the fact that Guyana was able to stave off any disaster is reflective of the improvements in infrastructure and general investments in drainage and irrigation. They have paid off.
The Agriculture Minister added that stakeholder agencies, including the Mahaica/ Mahaicony/ Abary (MMA) Authority, have reviewed and updated their response plans.
“Preparations are in place,” Persaud assured.