Heavy duty equipment have been deployed to clear clogged drains and ensure water flows off the land to bring relief to some 200 households affected by flooding in Canal No.1, on the West Bank of Demerara. This was disclosed by Minister of State Joseph Harmon during a post cabinet media briefing Friday.
The CDC first visited the area on Thursday where it was found that the homes and farms were inundated due to the heavy rainfall and clogged drains over the past few days.
Harmon noted that the National Emergency Monitoring system remains activated on a 24-hour basis with the ten administrative regions being actively monitored via social media, television, HF radios, mobile and landline telephones to ensure that there is a timely response to any incident relating to heavy rainfall.
“Since the initial impact and assessment was done and heavy-duty equipment, machinery and so on were deployed…to the Canal, additionally all efforts were made to ensure that the pumps and kokers remain operational to ensure maximum release of water to prevent the situation from worsening,” he noted.
According to an article published on the Department of Public Information’s website, Regional authorities of the West Demerara – Essequibo Islands Region have conducted assessments in the area and found that there have been minor losses in livestock and damage to property. So far, there has been no report of any health issues.
A team from the Ministry of Public Health also visited the Manram Memorial Health Centre, in Canal Number One, to ensure it is equipped with the necessary drugs in the case of a possible outbreak and to prevent flood-related illnesses.
Minister Harmon said there have been minimal reports of flooding in Region Four, Demerara-Mahaica, with reports of two-five inches of accumulated water in Albouystown, South and North Ruimveldt areas and minor flooding along the East Coast.
The greatest accumulation of water he pointed out, was on empty lots in Region Five, Mahaica-Berbice, however, he noted that reports have indicated that the water is receding from all areas except Bushlot on the West Coast of Berbice.
The State Minister lead a team to Canal Number One on Friday afternoon to further assess the damage, distribute hampers from the Civil Defense Commission (CDC) and to provide the necessary support.
The CDC is advising that persons remain alert since the heavy rainfall pattern particularly, on the coast can result in additional flooding.
The CDC on Thursday issued an advisory to citizens urging that persons residing in low lying areas put measures in place to avoid damage to property and livestock from flooding.
The commission also advised to remain alert and aware of the water levels and weather situation at all times and that contact be made with the CDC if there are any issues.
