-Minister Mustapha says flood situation being continuously monitored

By: Indrawattie Natram
A MEDICAL team headed by Regional Health Officer, Dr. Ranjeev Singh, will be visiting flood-affected communities in the Upper and Lower Pomeroon on Thursday to address the needs of

residents. The team, which will also include Environmental Health Officers, a Surveillance Medical Officer, and a Rapid Response doctor, will assess the possible health threats that may result from the excessive flooding over the holiday period. Based on their findings, the necessary recommendations will be made and action taken.
Meanwhile, Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, during Tuesday’s visit to flood-hit Charity, said that another one of his concerns is the volume of water that is currently on the lands in the Pomeroon area. He said the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) will be assessing the losses

farmers have suffered and relief in the form of planting materials will be distributed.
“All and all these areas need a long term plan. We have seen many of the infrastructures collapsing which were previously neglected by the previous administration.

We now have to spend money to rebuild,” Minister Zulfikar said. Large scale cash crop farmer, Deleep Singh, said several acres of his farmlands are submerged. Singh indicated that his lands were underwater since Boxing Day and despite private pumping, the water remains on the land. His plantain crop is at various stages of growth.
Singh told this publication that every time it rains, the area is prone to flooding. He supported the minister’s idea that there should be a long-term plan.
He also suggested that sluices be built in the Friendship and Cozier communities to assist in draining the floodwater into the Pomeroon River. At the moment the Pomeroon River mouth is swollen. There are reports of flooding from many cash crop farmers. Many families continue to remain indoors as they count their losses.