–following forecast of possible heavy rain all day today
THE Ministry of Education is reportedly “on high alert” following a forecast of possible heavy rain over the next 24 hours.
According to a release from the Hydrometeorological Department via the Ministry of Agriculture, “a high-intensity weather pattern, which is presently over the Atlantic, continues to develop, and as such, Guyana will experience rainfall of 45 to 80mm over a 24-hour period.”This being the case, Minister of Education Ms Priya Manickchand has put together a team to closely monitor the situation, and is asking parents to pay heed to the warning, and if necessary, touch base with their children’s school to find out what the situation is on the ground, and whether there will be classes before taking or sending them to school.
The weather pattern at reference, which was expected to commence last evening, is expected to be at its “maximum capacity” today, and there is every likelihood, as much as “a 70 per cent chance,” according to ‘Hydromet’, that conditions will remain true to prediction.
Among areas projected to be most affected are Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), and Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and northern Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
As such, the Ministry of Agriculture is advising those residents living in low-lying, and riverine areas to take all necessary precaution against possible flooding.
And though the relevant authorities will continue to be on alert, it is asking persons to report any flooding by calling the Ministry’s hotline: 227-5079/223-7291.
The good news, however, is that the rain is expected to subside by this evening.