— in Region Eight, villages in Region Seven being closely monitored

THE water level is receding in flood-affected Region Eight communities making it easier for relief efforts to be undertaken by the authorities.

At the same time, the authorities are monitoring floodwaters in several Region Seven villages, where water levels have risen, but not as alarming as in Region Eight.
The affected Region Eight villages include Waipa, Kopinang, Chiung Mouth, Itabac, Kaibarupai and Chenapau have been swamped by floodwaters over the past several days as persistent rainfall eased in some sections of the region.

While the situation remains serious, there are urgent calls for tarpaulins to assist residents whose homes were washed away or who are otherwise affected by the floods.
Reports are that the level of the Ireng River, which separates Guyana from Brazil, is still high; however, the water levels in most of the affected villages have dropped significantly overnight on Friday.
Kaibarupaui remained severely affected as residents were without food and water on Saturday morning, but reports are that relief efforts have been upped by the authorities, including the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) which established a Forward Operations Station at Orinduik.

According to a release, the CDC has received reports from regional authorities that several villages in Region Seven have also suffered flooding, but not to the level of severity of the villages in Region Eight.
The villages affected in Region Seven are Purima, Kako, Jawalla, Phillipi, Kamarang and Duebamang. The Region Seven Regional Disaster Risk Management Systems (RDRMS) and Regional Disaster Risk Management Committee (RDRMC) have been activated.
A team is being deployed to the affected villages to conduct assessments and reconnaissance. Mainly farmlands and some residences have been flooded in the Region Seven villages.

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, is leading a team which will go by boat to Waipa and Kaibarupai. The relief supplies consist mainly of food, medical supplies, clothing and water-purification agents.

NOW SERVICEABLE
According to the Amerindian People’s Association (APA), Toshao John Salvador of Kaibarupai reported that the water level is receding while radio communication systems are now serviceable.
The APA said it was in the process of taking food supplies to Mahdia for shipment to Orinduik from where it will be boated upriver to the affected communities.
On Friday evening, the CDC along with members of the Guyana Defence Force and volunteers were working around the clock to prepare flood- relief supplies for residents of six communities in Region Eight that have been affected by severe flooding. Several plane loads of supplies were ferried into the area on Saturday.

The floods have been caused by persistent rainfall over the past two weeks, which resulted in several waterways surpassing their optimum levels.
In addition, reports are that the Ireng River, which lies on Guyana’s border with Brazil, overtopped and as a result several nearby villages were inundated.
Several government agencies, including the Ministry of State, Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, the Ministry of Public Health and the CDC are coordinating relief efforts.
The Department of Public Information (DPI) stated on Friday that the CDC has conducted an aerial reconnaissance of the affected areas. There have been no reported deaths, missing persons or serious injuries.

The villages are located mainly in valley areas, where the water from the excessive rainfall pooled and resulted in the excessive flooding, the DPI stated. Villagers have relocated to higher ground in proximity to the various villages.
The flooding has reignited discussion on the impact of climate change in this part of the world. According to reports, the situation was a first for several affected villages, including the village of Kaibarupai which had not suffered flooding previously.
At the same time, the level of flooding in other villages far exceeds previous situations of minor flooding.

Members of the public who wish to make donations to the flood relief efforts are asked to do so to the CDC headquarters on Thomas Road. CDC telephone numbers are 226 1114, 226 8815, 226 1027, 225 5847 and email info@cdc.gy and opsandtrg.cdcgy@gmail.com
The items required are water, bleach, biscuits, rice, flour, sugar, salt, powdered milk, cooking oil, margarine, toilet paper, matches, canned foods, potatoes, tea bags, soap, soap powder and clothing.