–Karawab Village severely affected

AS Region Two officials continue to put various measures in place to alleviate flooding in many parts of the region, an emergency stakeholders’ meeting was held on Monday morning to provide an update on the situation and the relief efforts.

So far, the regional administration has deployed a mini-excavator, which will conduct works in various communities at scheduled times, installed drainage tubes, repaired pumps, and purchased fuel.

During the meeting, which was held in the Regional Democratic Council (RDC)’s boardroom, Regional Executive Officer (REO) Devanand Ramdatt said the regional administration has made a request to the Ministry of Finance for the purchasing of an additional $6.7M in fuel, so that pumps across the region can remain operational.

Among those present at the meeting were several toshaos, chairmen and overseers from the various Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), members of the Water Users Association (WUA), members of the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and representatives of the National Agriculture Research Extension Institute (NAREI), the Guyana Livestock Development Association (GLDA), and the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB).

Ramdatt, in his remarks to them, explained that the region is currently experiencing severe flooding, especially in the Amerindian community of St. Monica/Karawab where about 300 residents are under approximately four feet of water, and several other parts of the Pomeroon River.
Environmental Health Officers will soon be dispatched to the flood-affected communities to assess the situation and educate residents about good hygiene, and protecting one’s health.

Regarding the region’s interventions, Ramdatt told the officials that an email was sent to Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha for urgent repairs to four pumps located at Anna Regina, Taymonth Manor, Charity, and Dawa. He said that based on reports from regional engineers, repairing the pumps will help with draining the water from the lands. In addition to the four, the region has 16 working pumps.

The mini-excavator will make its first stop in the Good Hope/Pomeroon area, and will assist in the clearing of several clogged drains and canals. From there, it will be deployed to Lima Sands, followed by several other NDC areas to execute flood-relief work.

Overseers from various NDCs during the meeting requested drainage tubes for their respective areas. The REO granted their requests, and assured them that the tubes will be sent to the various areas as a matter of urgency.
They were also assured that several broken koker and sluice doors along the Essequibo Coast will be repaired. Some of the regional staff will be working on the night shift to monitor the flooding situation.

The region will also be distributing more relief hampers to residents of Charity, St. Monica/Karawab, and the Supenaam Creek area.

A GRDB representative informed those at the meeting that out of the 15, 276 acres of rice land that are ready for reaping, approximately 1,146 acres are under threat. Additionally, a NAREI representative disclosed that over 980 farmers in the Pomeroon River are affected by floodwater.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that several acres of farmlands in the Pomeroon River have been inundated since May 25, and that the water is receding slowly. Over 1000 persons in the Pomeroon River have already received food hampers.

Meanwhile, Toshao of Karawab, Monty Simon, who was present at the meeting, disclosed that over 300 villagers have been affected by the flood. He reported that the water is not receding, owing to the poor drainage in the community. The toshao expressed concerns about the health of the residents. In response to his concerns, the region has promised to send a health surveillance team to the area to assess the situation and make recommendations.

Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva, said the regional officials have been dispatched to various communities in three teams. She assured those at the meeting that continuous monitoring will be done, and the necessary interventions will be put in place by the regional administration to bring the flooding situation under control.

No major flooding was reported in the Good Hope/Pomona, Annandale/Riverstown, Queenstown/Zorg-en-Vlugt, Evergreen/Paradise NDCs, or by the Anna Regina Town Council. Aside from the Pomeroon River and St. Monica/Karawab, there are reports of flooding in the Charity/Ursara and Nile/Cozier NDCs.

Regional Vice-Chairman Humace Oodit urged the stakeholders to work along with the regional administration and to report any sign of flooding.