THE National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) in Georgetown, Guyana has said that heavy rainfall along Guyana’s coastal regions during the period Wednesday, July 15th, and Thursday, July 16th, 2015 has resulted in increased water levels in rivers and canals; and this has significantly affected Regions #3 and #4, with flooding in several communities, in yards and homes in some instances.The NEOC has said it had coordinated the following actions by 10:00hrs yesterday:

* Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis teams, comprising personnel from the GDF and CDC and other supporting elements, were dispatched to Central Georgetown, East Coast Demerara and Region 3. One of these teams was asked to render assistance at the shelters.

* Environmental Health Officers from the Ministry of Public Health were deployed at the two shelters to ascertain the current health needs.

* The NDIA is continuing its efforts to ensure drainage of all communities and to ensure that all pumps and sluices are working.

* GPL teams are working to restore power to La Parfaite Harmonie, Peters Hall, Friendship, and Anna Catherina

* The Environmental Protection Agency and the Guyana Red Cross Society are on a joint assessment of the established shelters.

* A shelter has been established at the Selman Fraser Nursery School in Albouystown and at the Albouystown Nursery School.

* The Regional Emergency Operations Centre (REOC) in Region 4 has been activated, and five teams — headed by the Regional Chairman, Regional Vice Chairman, Regional Executive Officer, Assistant Regional Executive Officer, and the Regional Engineer — have been deployed to Buxton-Paradise, Mahaica-Cane Grove, La Bonne Intention-Plaisance, Cane Grove and Mon Repos.

* The NDIA is easing the level of the East Demerara Water Conservancy by releasing water at Land of Canaan and at Hope Canal.

Meanwhile, The Guyana Water Incorporated has indicated that in excess of 2000 household water filters are on standby for distribution to affected areas, in the event the water supply systems become compromised.

The Traffic Department of the Guyana Police Force has advised that the following roads are still affected by flood waters: King St; Charlotte St; Albert St, between North Rd and South Rd; Homestretch Avenue; Haley St; Old College Rd; Cemetery Rd; Light St; Cummings St; Hunter St; Barr St; Albouys St; Hogg St; Hill St; Aubrey Barker Rd, between Claybrick Rd and the Shopping Plaza Bridge; and Blue Mountain Rd.

The following alternative routes are recommended for usage: Robb St; Brickdam Public Road; Norton St; Mandela Avenue; Hadfield Street, east of Vlissingen Road; Ruimveldt Public Road; Water St; Vlissengen Rd, between Regent St and North Road; Lamaha St; Young St; Seawall Rd; Irving St and Sheriff St.

The NEOC has promised to continue monitoring and assessing the vulnerable communities and conservancies which are usually affected by the heavy rains. Teams have been dispatched along the East Coast of Demerara, in Georgetown, and to the West Demerara area to further assess the community impacts and to aid the RDCs in their responses.