Dear Editor,

NEWS-reading is very bleak these last few days: “Flood-affected Black Bush residents appeal for help-May 27, 2021”; “High tide, heavy rainfall flood Pomeroon farmlands-May 27, 20210” and I can go on and on.

So it is most daunting indeed to learn about what excessive rainfall is doing across Guyana. We are daily reading and hearing that a number of regions in the country have been severely affected by floodwaters. The ongoing inclement weather has been brutal in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo); Bartica in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); Black Bush Polder in Region Six (East Berbice- Corentyne); Mahaicony Creek in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and several areas across Region Three (Essequibo Islands- West Demerara).

The residents in these inundated areas are indeed in a state of discomfort, having suffered the loss of livestock and crops. However, they have proved themselves to be resilient, and coupled with governmental intervention, these courageous folk have been most positive and hopeful.

In this vein, Mayor of Bartica Gifford Marshall explained, “Hours [of] long, heavy rainfall had resulted in extensive flooding in low-lying and other areas….” But the floodwaters had receded and residents were encouraged to take all necessary measures to secure their property in anticipation of the spring tides. In Region Three, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand; Regional Chairman, Inshan Ayube; Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr. Erica Forte and other officials, visited the affected areas to conduct an assessment.

Then on Wednesday night, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar informed Guyanese that the government had already deployed 10 excavators to clear trenches, culverts and the main drainage arteries, so that there could be effective drainage in flooded areas across Region Three. The word is that “Many more were deployed across the country to respond to flooding in communities.”

Over in Region Five, Member of Parliament Faizal Jaffarally and other stakeholders visited Mahaicony Creek to assess the situation as a result of flash floods. It was noted that “Reports are still coming in of other areas which are inundated.”

The idea is that there are urgent plans to continue taking relief to all the residents who are being affected. When we think that the forecast is quite dismal, it is indeed commendable that all the relevant authorities are on board, in order to mitigate the situation.

In fact, in Black Bush Polder (BBP), Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, after leading a high-level visit, made a commitment to send hampers which will be distributed by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) in collaboration with the Regional and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils. He stressed that this process will commence as early as Saturday, since he recognises the urgent need for relief.

I do share in the grief and loss that so many people are experiencing. I am also happy that there is a concerted effort from the government to really respond promptly and not only in terms of relief, but infrastructural support as well.

Yours faithfully,

Attiya Baksh