Region One devastated by flooding

Heavy rainfall over a 24-hour period, coupled with the spring tide, resulted in several communities in Region One (Barima-Waini) being inundated by floodwaters.

Mayor of Mabaruma, Chris Phang, on Thursday, told the News Room that the hard-hit areas include Barabina, Hosororo Stretch and Lower Koriabo along with the main business community – Kumaka.

“Persons would have lost livestock, many cash crops, damages to their houses, just a lot of damages,” the Mayor said.

One resident from Kumaka, Bibi Khan, told this news entity that she woke up on Thursday morning to water in her bedroom.

“The rainfall start since Monday night but last night it fall hard hard. When we wake up, was straight in water my foot go…all the chair, my fridge damage from the water.

“The drains block up so the water ain’t pass out and it got a lot of people who lose nuff money. My cousin, who does farming, all her chickens drown, nuff of the crops like pak choy, they all damaged because the water cover them,” the woman relayed.

The Mayor explained that the town has been in contact with the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to get relief supplies to the residents.

Meanwhile, several other regions across the country were adversely affected by floodwaters: Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), Bartica in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Back Bush Polder in Region Six (East Berbice- Corentyne); Mahaicony Creek in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) along with areas in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Brigadier (retired), Mark Phillips, and Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, met with the flood-affected residents from Yakusari, Johanna, Mibicuri, and Lesbeholden, and Black Bush Polder.

He committed to sending a machine to each village to assist with clearing the back drains to help the flood water recede.