-Agriculture Minister warns
The MINISTER of Agriculture has disclosed that the first two weeks of this month might be very wet in all 10 administrative regions.
“I am advised by the Hydromet Office that the fist two weeks of May might see very wet conditions across the 10 administrative regions in Guyana,” Dr. Ramsammy said. He made this disclosure while addressing a media briefing at the Agriculture Ministry to give an update on the current weather conditions that Guyana has been experiencing over the past few days.

Dr Ramsammy said that while drainage and irrigation works are ongoing across the regions, many secondary and internal drains are not being maintained, thus, sluices and pumps have been affected.

“We are particularly concerned about clogging of internal drains, while we continue to clean the main drains, secondary and internal drains are not being maintained. This slows flow to the sluices and affects the working pumps,” the minister lamented

He is cautioning about possible flooding and has asked that every citizen and specifically farmers take the necessary precautions during this period of heavy rainfall.

Ramsammy said the Hydromet Office has advised that the country can expect mostly cloudy, overcast spells with occasional showers and intermittent rainfalls in every region. The advisory also indicated isolated thunderstorms may occur over some coastal and near inland areas.

Rainy conditions are expected to continue and might intensify today with rainfall amounting to 60mm. Some relief might be experienced on Tuesday and Wednesday and are likely to intensify on Thursday and Friday. Saturday is likely to see gradual decrease of cloudiness.

Ramsammy went on to explain that the May-June period is usually a rainy season in Guyana and statistics has shown that since the last week of April, Guyana has been experiencing relatively modest rainfall.

“Over the last week, rainfall has been on high intensity in many parts of Guyana. The most affected region was Region 10 where rainfall measured more than 160mm at Wismar, more than 133mm at Watooka and more than 125mm at Ebini.”

He said that most of Region 4 has experienced more than 100mm of rainfall in the same period, led by Maduni 147mm, Strathvhon 138mm, Been Hive 137mm and Lama 123mm. Georgetown averaged its period 73mm.

Regions, 3, 5 and 6 also averaged close to 100mm of rain in many parts. In Region 3, the average over the Boerasiri was 87mm. In Region 5 areas such as Grass Hook, Helena #2, Bara Bara averaged more than 100mm. Other areas in Region 5 with rainfall includes MARDS (99mm), Wash Cloth(94mm),Bush lot(85mm) and Pine ground (76mm).

In Region 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne), most places experienced more than 60mm of rain during that period.Mibikuri and New Amsterdam averaged more than 70mm. Other areas in Region 6 with high rainfall amounts were Albion, Whim and Letter Kenny.

The minister also stated that flash floods were experienced in Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice) and according to him, the Agriculture Ministry has been working  in collaboration with the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to monitor the situation.

“We are monitoring the situation in Region 10. The NDIA has been in contact with the REO of Region 10 and we have begun emergency clearing works in Hymara and Cacatara Creek,” Ramsammy said

He added: “In Region 4, the NDIA is monitoring the situation in the Greenfield and Bee Hive areas. There was some flooding in this area. Clearing of internal drains are being done. Works to clear the inlet area leading to the pump was being done, affecting the works of pump there. This situation is being addressed at this time.”