– NDIA relief works ongoing
HEAVY rain continued for the most part of yesterday morning following heavy showers seen from late Friday night, but according to reports up to press time while the showers affected most of the coastland, there was only minor flooding in some communities.According to a report from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority(NDIA, the break in the weather, yesterday afternoon, allowed for flood waters and high waters in drainage systems to recede in the affected areas in Regions 2(Pomeroon/Supenaam), 3(Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) and 4(Demerara/Mahaica).
The report noted that both residential and agricultural areas were affected, but all affected areas and drainage infrastructure along the coast are being closely monitored.

REGION 2
Reports of high waters were received from Westbury to Somerset, as well as in Anna Regina, Windsor Castle, Three Friends, Main Canal, Pomeroon River and the upper reaches of Supenaam.
However, the build-up of water completely receded by the end of the afternoon.
The report noted that the NDIA completed dredging of Anna Regina, Andrews, Lima, Hampton Court and Windsor Castle outfall channels, and high waters continue to recede by sluices and pumps in the affected areas.

REGION 3
Flooding in low-lying residential areas in Patentia and other nearby villages was reported. Also, minor flooding in the farming areas – Bagotsville, Good Hope and Tennis Farm in Canal Number 1 and some parts of Canal Number 2, as well as Ruby and Parika was reported.
However, with dredging completed at Windsor Forest and Blankenburg, and pumps and sluices in operation, the water receded by the end of the afternoon.

REGION 4
In Georgetown, while high waters were recorded in the drainage system – resulting in minor flooding in South Georgetown and East and West Ruimveldt, flood waters receded by the end of the day.
The City Engineer’s Department reported that four pumps assisted in draining water into the Demerara River and all drainage pumps at Liliendaal and Kitty are operable.
Buxton, Vigilance and some residential areas along the Railway embankment, the south section from Success and Foulis, reported minor flooding.
Farming areas in Greenfield, Beehive, Clonbrook to Two Friends also made similar reports.
Minor flooding in sections of residential areas of Cane Ville, Little Diamond and to a lesser extent Herstelling, was also reported.
However, reports at the end of the afternoon were that the flood and other high waters in affected areas receded after being pumped from Liliendaal to Unity.
There were no reports of flooding in Regions 5 (Mahaica/Berbice) and 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice), while Region 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne) saw minor flooding at Mara.

NORMAL LEVELS
Up to press time, the water level in the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) was recorded at 57.5 Georgetown Datum (GD), within the average range of 50GD and 58GD.
According to the NDIA report, excess water from the EDWC is being discharged into the Demerara River at Land of Canaan and will be continued via the Cunha Sluice, in the evening, during the low tide.
The report added, that buttressing of the embankment and cleaning of internal waterways are ongoing.
The levels at the Boerasire Water Conservancy and the Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary (MMA) Water Conservancy were reported to be normal.
The Hydromet Office has advised that the forecast commencing 19:00 hrs, yesterday, a forecast valid for the next 12 hours indicates: cloudy to overcast conditions with light to moderate occasional showers expected over Regions 1 to 5, 7 and 10, while elsewhere mainly cloudy conditions are expected with light scattered showers.
Rainfall is expected to range between 5.0 to 35.0 millimeters for the next 12 hours.

(- By Vanessa Narine)