THE beginning of the May-June rainy season has seen flooding in several high-risk communities around Georgetown. Heavy rainfall started sometime during the morning hours of May 11, 2020, and continued throughout the night.

The Guyana Chronicle visited some of these communities, including Albouystown, Alberttown, Riverview Ruimveldt, Durban Backlands and Lacytown in order to capture the extent of the flooding. It was noted that, although several yards had over an inch of water, the water level was receding.

Several residents stated that they were made aware of the flood warning made public by the Civil Defence Commission and as such they had taken the necessary precautions such as moving their furniture and electronic equipment to higher ground, as a protective measure.

One resident of Castello Housing Scheme stated that she had heard the rainfall, and woke her children to ensure that they moved as many items as they could have to higher ground. She added that they were able to remove their items, and, although her yard was flooded, her house was not affected.

Several residents of Albouystown stated that, although their homes had been somewhat affected by the flooding in the earlier part of the morning, the water receded rapidly.

The Mayor and Councilors of the City of Georgetown, in a release, stated that several communities had experienced overtopping due to the high tide and the closure of the kokers doors. Further the release stated “The City Engineer has given the assurance that all koker doors will be opened between 23:00 hours and midnight to allow the affected areas to drain quickly. Once again, citizens must be reminded that heavy rainfall may result in overtopping in low-lying areas including: Albouystown, Alberttown, Riverview Ruimveldt, Durban Back lands and Lacytown; since the City can only accommodate 2 inches of rainfall during normal high tide.”

The Civil Defence Commission stated that, based on the projected forecast, all regions across the country are expected to experience heavy rainfall which may result in flooding and possible landslides in hilly areas. Further, in an effort to ensure that citizens are safe, the CDC is networking with regional officials to monitor the impact of the weather conditions over the next few days.

The Civil Defence Commission is urging all citizens to take the necessary precautions:
Place sandbags where needed; unplug all electrical items which may come into contact with floodwaters; elevate all household furniture and appliances situated
on the ground floor; relocate livestock to higher ground; use purification tablets as prescribed; ensure children and the elderly stay clear of floodwaters.

The Hydrometeorological Department of the Ministry of Agriculture has issued flash flood warnings for flood-prone areas along the coast.

In an advisory issued on Monday, the department stated that cloudy to overcast skies are being observed along coastal Guyana with moderate to heavy thundershowers.

Residents are advised to remain alert and exercise all precautionary measures. Floods, damage to sea defence and overtopping should be reported to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) on (592) 226-1114, 226-8815, 226-1027 or 225-5847, or its 24-hour National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) on (592) 623-1700 and 600-7500.