WITH almost 30,000 households affected by severe flooding, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) is monitoring the situation closely, as more heavy rainfalls and high tides are expected in the coming days. The CDC, in a draft report released on Friday, asked that citizens prepare themselves for above normal rainfall for June and July. The above normal high tide advisory is in effect until Monday June 14, 2021. The CDC warned that precautions should be taken against over-topping of the river and sea defence.
“In view of the forecast conditions, continued rainfall will likely lead to flooding in low-lying and flood-prone areas and possibility of landslides over hilly areas,” the CDC said.
Residents are asked to take necessary precautions to safeguard against possible flooding, wind, lightning, and mudslides.
“Over the past 22 hours, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has continued to receive reports of flooding across the country. Further, the CDC has continued its verifications of flood reports, in addition to the deployment of personnel and resources to support in flood response,” the report stated.

The CDC continues to give direct support in the areas of shelter management, evacuation, relief distribution in Kwakwani, Region 10 where excessively high-water levels are being experienced, almost fully covering homes in some instances. Technical teams also continue to give support in Region Seven.
According to the report, Regions Ten, Nine, Seven, Six, Five and Two have been most impacted by the situation.
During the period of May 18 to present, a total of 17,829 cleaning hampers and 20,535 food hampers have been distributed across the regions as a form of emergency relief. A total of 300 hampers (cleaning and food hampers) were distributed on June 10.
The report stated that a total of 198 persons are currently being housed in shelters.

Meanwhile, during a virtual Disaster Risk Management meeting organised by the CDC, Local Government Minister, Nigel Dharamlall, reminded regional authorities of the need to provide daily status reports on the impact of flooding in their regions to the CDC. The minister said while some regions have been reporting to the CDC many have been recalcitrant. He emphasised that regular updates are critical to the planning of support for households and farming communities affected by the floods.
During the meeting, CDC’s Director General, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, also reiterated that effective reporting will allow the CDC to better plan to meet the needs of those who are affected. CDC’s Preparedness and Response Manager, Major Salim October, stressed on the need for better coordination at the level of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) to ensure that hampers dispatched by the CDC reach those residents who are severely impacted.