THE Ministry of Agriculture’s National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) said it will continue to be responsive and supportive in bringing relief to the Region 10 administration following intense rainfall that resulted in flash flooding in Linden over the past 36 hours. Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud has been monitoring the situation closely, and has instructed the NDIA to mobilize equipment and workers of the Community Drainage and Irrigation Project to undertake emergency works to clean two main creeks in Silver City and Poker Street, along with several main drains.

“While Region 10 does not fall under the purview of the NDIA, support has been extended over the years to clear critical drains and creeks” a release from the Agriculture Ministry said yesterday.
Further, the NDIA will continue to work with the administration to undertake the necessary intervention to bring some relief to the region in its time of crisis.

Additionally, resulting from heavy rainfall at the weekend, build up of water was reported in the Canals Polder in Region Three. The NDIA has since intensified its maintenance of the main drainage canals in Canals Polder 1and 2.

Two excavators have been deployed to remove weeds lodged at bridges blocking the flow of water in the area.

Meanwhile, according to the Hydrometeorological  Office, weather conditions experienced over the last 36 to 48 hours were influenced by the InterTropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) which is primarily responsible for producing rainfall at this time of the year.

As a result of the weather pattern, significant quantities of rainfall were recorded at some locations. The rainfall was accompanied by gusty winds and flash flooding.

For some coastal localities, water accumulation was exacerbated due to a prevailing spring tide. Grove and Mahaicony have recorded the highest rainfall in a 24 hour period.

This was due primarily to heavy downpours which measured 84.8 mm at West Watooka, and 57.1 mm at Wismar.

It is expected that the rainfall quantities will reduce significantly in the coming days, as Guyana continues to move into the second annual dry season.