REGION Nine farmers are being advised to reap their crops as the flood situation in the area continue to be monitored by the authorities.

Civil Defence Commission (CDC) Head, Colonel (retired) Chabilall Ramsarup told the media on Friday during a post-Cabinet briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency that the region’s floods are worrisome at this time. The floodwaters there are being attributed to the swollen waterways on the border with Brazil; the Ireng and the Takutu Rivers. Those waterways have overtopped and as the rains pour in northern Brazil the Rio Bronco in the neighbouring country has been pouring into the Takutu and Ireng Rivers.

Ramsarup said that the water level at the town of Lethem has dropped, however it is the sub-regions within the Rupununi which are flooded. “We advise the farmers down there to reap all the crops that they can reap”, he said. He noted that there is no shortage of food at the moment, however if the conditions persist the situation may be on the contrary. He said weather forecasts indicate that there will be rains throughout this weekend in Brazil and this can lead to a rise in water levels.

Ramasarup said a truck is leaving Georgetown with relief supplies for affected residents as well as nutrient for animals. That truck will leave for the Rupununi this weekend. He advised that even through the water levels are receding in Lethem; persons should follow all necessary precautions as regards returning to their affected homes. The Guyana Chronicle was informed by residents of the South Central Rupununi that farm lands near the village of Potarinau washed away earlier this week. Toshao Paulinus Albert noted that six homes collapsed under the flood waters while 15 farms were inundated.

Regional and government officials have reported that the floods in the Rupununi are not as severe as the 2011 floods which swamped the region. Those floods weer also attributed to swollen waterways within the region and the Rio Branco which poured water into the Takutu and Ireng rivers.

The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Nine is providing relief to residents affected by flooding. An Emergency Management Committee was established to manage and coordinate the disaster response operations, with technical support from the CDC. Two emergency shelters have been established at Arapaima Primary and Culvert City Nursery Schools; these shelters have a total of 12 households (43 persons). The floods have displaced a number of persons in Lethem and its environs and affected farms in all five sub-districts in the region.