OPPOSITION Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on Friday expressed concern over widespread flooding in Georgetown and several coastal areas and called on government to remedy the flood situation speedily. In a statement to the media, the Leader of the Opposition said based on an “on-the-ground assessment,” there has been flooding in residential and agricultural areas in Regions Two, Three, Five, and Six. According to the statement, homes and businesses were severely affected in South Georgetown, Cummingsburg, Alberttown, Bel Air, Newtown Kitty, Regent Street, Main Street and Turkeyen.
“Coastal villages areas such as Lima, sections of Henrietta and Hampton Court, Capoey, Land of Plenty in Region Two; Canals Polder, Region Three; and residential and agricultural areas of Anns Grove/Two Friends, Cane Grove, Good Hope, Mon Repos, Lusignan, Foulis within Region Four are also affected with floodwaters,” said the Leader of the Opposition.
Jagdeo noted that several farming communities in Region Five have reported damage to cash crops and livestock. Those areas include Blairmont; Rosignal NDC; Bel Air & Woodlands Farm NDC; Number7 Back Street; Bath Woodley Park NDC; Bush Lot NDC; Number 28 and Number 29 Villages; Hopetown, Seafield/Tempie NDC; and Profit/ Rising Sun NDC.
In Region Six, New Amsterdam ; Number 52 to 74 residential villages; Rose Hall ( residential area); and several villages along Central Corentyne are also affected. After speaking to Regional chairpersons for Regions One, Two, Three, Five, Six and Nine about the flood situation, Jagdeo has called on “the Government of Guyana to implement every measure necessary, to bring immediate relief to those affected, by ensuring that steps are taken to minimize damage and losses to property, livestock and agricultural crops.”
Additionally, the Leader of the Opposition has called on the Government to pay special attention to the rising water levels in the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC), “which is reported to be above 57 GD level, as well as the Boerasirie Conservancy,” while noting that the Mahaica and Mahaicony Creeks, Pomeroon River and other inland areas should also receive attention.
Jagdeo said backwater flows can result in downstream flooding, which is a trend in riverain areas and called on government to remedy “defective sluices and silted outfall channels” located at Capoey, Cozier, Three Friends, Letter Kenny and Borlam.