PRECIPITATION with six to seven inches over the last 24 hours inundated several communities in Region 5 yesterday, and prompted President Donald Ramotar to make an impromptu visit to the region for a first-hand assessment. Blairmont, Cotton Tree, Ithaca, Waterloo and Experiment Housing Scheme were among the communities affected with rising levels of water, receding according to the capacity of the sluice.
President Ramotar told reporters that signs of hope began showing as the tide went out and the kokers opened and he spoke of efforts at the level of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) to clean internal drains.
Contacted yesterday, newly sworn-in Chairman of Region 5, Bindrabhan Bisnauth, said the garbage pile up in most of the areas had been one of the contributing factors.
A workforce was dispatched yesterday to address the situation at the various drainage systems to allow a smooth flow of water. 
From his assessment of the work being done, President Ramotar expected the situation to abate by late afternoon; but with the scheduled closure of kokers and continuous rainfall, he believes there will be challenges.
“I hope that in another day or so the rain holds and all the water will get off the land as fast as possible,” President Ramotar said.
The Hydrometeorological Service, as at 08:00hrs yesterday, received reports from a number of its rainfall stations across the country, indicating that many stations along the coast and near inland locations exceeded 100mm in 24 hours.
The highest recorded rainfall was 172.6 mm which was reported at New Amsterdam, in Region 6, while other areas exceeding the 100 mm are as follows: 152.3 mm was reported at Friendship-Buxton, 125.4 mm at Enterprise, both in Region 4; 138.4 mm at Pine Ground, 116.2 mm at Wash Clothes, 100.0 mm at Bara Bara, 152 mm at Bush Lot, 106.0mm at Foulis and 136.6mm at D’ Edward Village, all in Region 5.
The eastern regions in Guyana received the highest rainfall during the last 24 hours and to date, a number of locations have already recorded above the long term average for Jan 2012.
The hydromet report provided by Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, stated that during the next 48 hours, current conditions will be sustained, with light to moderate intermittent rainfall with occasional heavy downpours likely during the period as well. Rainfall quantities are likely to exceed 60 millimeters in 48 hours.
It stated further that  La Nina phenomenon still persists, and is expected to do so until the end of the first quarter of 2012. Downpours may occur from time to time during February and March, 2012, as this mild La Nina continues to influence weather patterns.
Residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas are advised to take the necessary precautions against possible flooding. (GINA)