– Hydromet office says localised flooding expected

THE second wet/rainy season for the year is stepping in and the Hydrometeorological Service is urging persons to expect an increase in rainfall.

According to the hydromet office, the secondary rainfall season usually begins in the second half of November and continues until the end of January to mid-February of the following year.

The rainy season is driven mainly by the southern migration of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and upper atmospheric features such as the subtropical jet and troughs.

Over the past two weeks, the Hydrometeorological Service has observed that these systems are beginning to affect Guyana, affording the conditions for increased rainfall and the commencement of the rainy season, marginally ahead of the usual commencement period.

“Given the arrival of the rainfall season, water accumulation in areas with compromised drainage is expected; this can lead to localised flooding/flood related hazards, an upsurge in mosquito breeding, moisture-related pests and water borne diseases,” said the met office.

The Hydrometeorological Service urged that careful attention be given to short-range forecasts provided by the Hydrometeorological Service’s National Weather Watch Center (NWWC) in order to plan daily activities, especially by persons involved in agricultural sector and those inhabiting flood-prone areas.

Further, there are several periods of above normal high tides forecasted in the coming months, which, when coupled with the forecasted weather conditions, can have severe localised impacts on the livelihood of the citizenry.

BE PREPARED
It is, therefore, incumbent upon citizens and responsible agencies to take all necessary steps to prepare for the commencement of the rainfall season and the associated impacts on all sectors.

The Hydrometeorological Service will provide updates to its seasonal forecast and warnings as new information becomes available.

For short range forecasts and weather analyses, stakeholders are advised to follow the Daily Weather Briefs, Outlooks and Advisories produced by the National Weather Watch Centre or visit www.hydromet.gov.gy. The Forecast Desk can be reached at 261-4489/261-2216 on a 24-hour basis.

It was reported that from Tuesday to Friday this week, 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 25mm (approximately one inch) and 50mm (approximately two 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 experience a few light showers between zero mm and 10mm rainfall.
As the rainy season begins to step in, the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) of Georgetown has urged persons to take all necessary precautions to ensure that they secure their properties and other personal belongings.

Further, citizens were 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 implored 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.