CABINET has noted the continued reduction in the levels of rainfall that occurred over the past weeks. This was expressed by head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, during his weekly post-cabinet media briefing at the office of the President yesterday. According to the HPS, Cabinet was informed about the activities primarily in the farming communities, specifically with regard to sector inputs for the return to normalcy.
He said Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, had earlier reported that the impact on the farming communities revealed that cash crop farmers have lost in excess of 800 acres of cultivation.
In addition, poultry farmers have lost approximately 5,000 birds, while in the rice sector, as much as 3800 acres were affected.
The HPS added that the operation of the flood water control system is maximally operational. He said the agriculture minister reported to Cabinet that its effect on minimizing the consequences of the flooding.
While the rainfall persisted, the expectations were that the control system would have to remain maximally operational to prevent an unwarranted impact on the communities.
Certain parts of the capital city and its environs were under water for about two weeks due to the persistent La Nina weather phenomenon.
The continued heavy rainfall had created a situation whereby the drainage capacity was compromised in most areas. The rainfall experienced during the flood season earlier this month exceeded the amount of the rainfall in the 2005 flood.
Government had undertaken a number of interventions to assist farmers during their plight. Ministers of government were engaged in a fan-out exercise in the various regions to monitor the flood situation on the ground, and listen to recommendations by the farmers.
President Donald Ramotar and a technical team had made several visits to the various affected areas.
Government had announced that it would provide assistance to farmers who suffered losses.
The La Nina weather pattern is said to continue until the end of March.