MINISTER in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Alli Baksh has said that the rice crop, which is currently blooming on the Essequibo Coast, has not been severely affected by the flood situation.Minister Baksh, who visited villages between Perth and Affiance, said the residential areas are mostly affected by the high buildup of water that has resulted in flooding.

Baksh said kitchen gardens and poultry have being affected, especially in the low lying areas along the coast.
The Minister, who met with residents in the affected areas, assured them that the government is working to bring relief. He said some fields with rice were flooded, but sluices and pumps are in operation to drain the flood waters from off the land as quickly as possible.
Heavy and consistent rainfall over the past two days have left the Essequibo Coast flooded in many areas. Many lower flats of buildings are flooded while kitchen gardens are also under water.
Region Two Chairman Mr Parmanand Persaud early Saturday morning visited sluices to ensure that they are working at full capacity to discharge flood waters into the Atlantic Ocean.
The Chairman said mobile pumps are in operation at Three Friends, Anna Regina, Lima and Devonshire Castle to drain excess rainfall from the land and bring relief to residents.
He said it is costing the Government millions of dollars to keep the mobile pumps in operation round-the-clock to drain the flooded areas.
(Rajendra Prabhulall)