— but drainage network coping well with the buildup of water
Chairman of Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Mr. Parmanand Persaud, yesterday inspected several sluices and mobile pumps on the Essequibo Coast to ensure that water is drained quickly from residential, rice and other farming areas across the coast. The Chairman inspected La Union, Tree Friends, Anna Regina, Lima, Hampton Court, Devonshire Castle, Perth, Dartmouth and the Westbury double-door sluices.
During his inspection, the chairman explained that the rainfall, which began some two days ago, has affected the harvesting of rice in the region, and this can prove to be a major setback for the rice farmers of Region 2.
He was, nevertheless, pleased that with the exception of the sluice at Andrews, all other sluices were in full operation. During the falling tide, water is drained into the Atlantic Ocean from the canals and other areas where it has accumulated.
Mobile and permanent pumps are put into operation during the washing tides, and water is drained into the ocean when sluices are shut, the chairman added.
The Chairman said that although the rain is falling heavily and constantly, the region’s drainage network is coping well with the high buildup of water.
At Lima, the regional chairman met with some fisher folks and residents, and had discussion on draining the water off the land. Mr. Persaud promised quick action would be taken to desilt a section of the channel leading to one of the sluices which has not been able to drain as quickly as residents would like.
While at the sluice, the chairman also said he was pleased with the way several sluices were operating in discharging water into the ocean.
Meanwhile, the water level at two sections of the conservancy has risen sharply, and the region’s drainage and irrigation department is monitoring those sections around the clock as the rain continues.
The rainfall has caused rising water levels in some areas across the coast; however, water is receding from those areas satisfactorily.