– M&CC claims indiscriminate garbage disposal helped compromise drainage system

THE Civil Defence Commission(CDC) is monitoring the situation in several communities in Georgetown which have been affected by flooding on Monday, November 04, 2019, after heavy rainfall.

The CDC has also wrapped up a rapid assessment of several of the affected communities across Georgetown including the Ruimveldt area, Sophia, Kitty, Main Street and the environs of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). The flooding, however, did not result in any major flooding of households, or any damages to property.

The Mayor and Councillors of the City (M&CC) of Georgetown, in a statement, said that all of its sluices and pumps are fully functional. Further, the statement related that the koker doors are closed due to the high tide but will be opened between 11:00 hours -12:00 noon to facilitate the free flow of water off the land. City Engineer Kenson Boston has assured that the pumps are functioning to optimum to allow water to drain off the land.

The M&CC is urging persons to take the necessary precautions to ensure that they secure their properties and other personal belongings. Further, citizens are reminded that heavy rainfall may result in overtopping in low-lying areas including Albouystown, Alberttown, Riverview Ruimveldt and Lacytown since the city can only accommodate two inches of rainfall during normal high tide.

Mayor Ubraj Narine is imploring city dwellers to be responsible when disposing of waste since the Council is still faced with a serious problem where waste finds its way into the drainage system. This, in fact, has helped to compromise the integrity of the drainage system and has contributed to overtopping in several communities.
The Guyana Chronicle has observed several communities where the water level throughout the day has been receding.

A flood advisory warning is being issued based on the following Hydrometeorological weather report from the Ministry of Agriculture.Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, persons can expect partly cloudy to cloudy skies with scattered light to moderate showers over Regions One through Five, Seven, 10 and northern Region Six. Southern parts of Regions one through five and parts of Regions Seven and 10 may observe thundershowers during the afternoon and evening hours. Rainfall is expected to range between 25 mm (approximately 1 inch) and 50 mm (approximately 2 inches) over areas with thundershowers and between 10 mm and 20 mm elsewhere. Partly cloudy skies are expected over all other locations. These areas may also observe a few light showers, Between 0 mm and 10 mm rainfall.
Alternatively, on Wednesday persons can expect partly cloudy skies with morning showers over Regions Two through Five and northern Region Six. Generally, fair weather is likely for the rest of the day. Between 0 mm and 5 mm rainfall is expected. Region Nine and southern Region Six may observe generally fair weather. All other locations can observe mostly cloudy skies with light to moderate showers and afternoon thundershowers. Between 15 mm and 40 mm rainfall is forecast.

Citizens are advised that the above normal high tide advisory is NOT in effect. The next period of above normal high tides will begin on Saturday, November 9, 2019.
The forecasted weather conditions for this week may produce water accumulation or flooding in low-lying and flood-prone areas. Residents in these locations are advised to take all necessary precautions.

Citizens are asked to report observation of flooding to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), 24 Hours National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) on 623-1700, 600-5700 or 226-1114.