–PM Phillips urges citizens in low-lying areas, affirms CDC actively monitoring heavy rainfall

PRIME MINISTER, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, has urged persons in low-lying and flood-prone areas to take precautions in the coming days as Guyana continues to experience heavy rainfall.

“We are in the rainy season and some amount of flooding is expected. While we do not hope for it, we are working to closely monitor the situation. Persons who reside in low-lying areas and those who are affected by flooding, I encourage you to take all precautions to minimise the damage that is associated with flooding in all communities,”

Prime Minister Phillips, under whose purview the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) falls, made this comment during a briefing held at the CDC’s Thomas Lands headquarters.

The Prime Minister who holds responsibility for disaster risk management, said that the Cabinet task force on flooding is also monitoring the rainfall.

Director-General of the Civil Defence Commission, Colonel (Ret’d) Nazrul Hussain, in an invited comment, related that the CDC has embarked on a public awareness campaign on their social media platforms and is urging residents to take all necessary precautions.

He said that the commission is working with the Ministry of Agriculture’s Hydrometeorological Service and several other stakeholders to monitor and respond to reports of flooding.

In the meantime, a flood advisory warning is being issued based on the predicted weather forecast for the week.

The CDC has also advised citizens to remain vigilant and cautious, and to report any issue to local authorities or the National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) on 600-7500 at any time.