MADUNI SLUICE OPENED
-as water rises to threatening level in East Demerara Conservancy
– residents in low lying, flood prone areas asked to take necessary precautions THE Maduni sluice has been opened to release water from the East Demerara Water Conservancy, the latest action taken by government as it continues to put mechanisms in place to minimise the effects of the heavy rainfall countrywide. Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy made this disclosure to the media yesterday, at his office, in a brief update on the flood situation.
“This decision was the latest action we have taken to maintain the conservancy at a safe level”, the minister said. He reiterated that in most of the places where the rainfall has been measured, the amount for January 2012 has surpassed by many times the long term average for January.
Minister Ramsammy told reporters that due to continuous rainfall resulting from mild La Nina weather phenomenon, the level of water in the conservancy had reached a threatening level and was still rising. He said as a last resort, the EDWC Commission took the decision to have controlled release of water through the Mahaica creek, via the Maduni outlet, so as to ensure the integrity of the conservancy dams. Water has been released via the Maduni sluice at low tide. Excess water continues to be evacuated from the conservancy into the Demerara River via the five-door sluice at Land of Canaan, and outlets at Kofi and Cunhia sluices.

“Releases from these outlets remain our first choice and we will continue to release from them”, Ramsammy stated. He further noted that as soon as it becomes possible, they will stop releases from Maduni and rely exclusively on the Demerara River outlets.
Given the decision of the EDWC Commission to release water through the Maduni, the Ministry of Agriculture is urging that all precautions be taken to ensure that the discharge of water to the Atlantic via the Maduni does not acutely aggravate an already rising Mahaica Creek due to high levels of rainfall in the Mahaica/Mahaicony catchment areas which flows into various creeks and rivers.
The ongoing construction of the East Demerara Water Conservancy Northern Relief Channel at Hope/Dochfour, when completed, will prevent the use of Lama and Maduni to discharge water and put communities under threat.
The ministry is advising residents in the upper reaches of the Mahaica and Mahaicony Creeks to be on the alert and to take necessary precautions with the release of water to relieve the pressure on the conservancy dam.
Yesterday morning, the average level of the EDWC was 57.6GD, which is just above the full supply level of 57.5 GD. The height of the conservancy Dam is 59GD.
There has been no breach of the dam or overtopping along the conservancy, and no such situation is expected to occur, Minister Ramsammy assured. This he accredited to the extensive works that had been carried out over the years in maintaining the integrity of the dam.
The flooding situation still prevails in certain sections on the East Coast of Demerara, West Berbice, East Bank Demerara, especially areas such as Grove and Diamond and parts of West Demerara.
In Region 6, water has already receded in areas such as Canje, Albion, Rose Hall, and Port Mourant.
However, in New Amsterdam, the water remains persistent and the community there will require additional assistance. A mobile pump has since been deployed to the area, while all the other pumps have been deployed to the regions affected by the heavy rainfall.
The agriculture minister is urging local authorities to ensure that where there are kokers and sluices, the doors are opened and closed in keeping with schedules, and to ensure that all pumps are working. Meanwhile, engineers from the ministry are monitoring the sluices and pumps.

ASSISTANCE FOR FARMERS
“The Ministry of Agriculture has always been providing support to the farmers of Guyana and we will continue to do so,” Minister Ramsammy assured. Professionals who work with the Livestock and Crops Division have been out on the ground providing support to farmers. According to the minister, for the livestock farmers, the regular pastures are inundated and the ministry is assisting the farmers to move to higher ground.
He added that his ministry will provide support in terms of feed for the animals.
The current heavy rainfall is conducive to the rice crop; but should the fields become inundated, then it will spell disaster. However, the ministry is working to avert any such occurrence.
Dr. Ramsammy said that, presently, the ministry is ensuring that every sluice and koker is operational, and where drains and canals could benefit from further cleaning, this will be undertaken.

LONG TERM FORECAST
The long term forecast for the current La Nina weather phenomenon from the Ministry of Agriculture Hydromet Office has been predicted to last until the end of March. Meanwhile, forecast from the Caribbean Meteorological Service has also predicted prolonged rainfall for Guyana.

SHORT TERM FORECAST
The forecast over the next several days is for similar weather that Guyana has experienced over the past few days, cloudy conditions, with regular showers that are heavy at times.

FAN-OUT EXERCISE
Ministers of Government are engaged in a fan-out exercise countrywide, and this is expected to heighten today. Ministers have been assigned to various regions, along with the technical officers.
President Donald Ramotar has also been visiting several areas, speaking with residents and looking at ways to bring relief in affected areas. He is expected to continue the exercise throughout the week, should the situation persist.