President activates Cabinet Level Taskforce to respond to current rainy season

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, on Saturday, activated a Cabinet Level Task Force to respond to the current rainy season and potential flood impacts across Guyana.

The Task Force, led by Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, will work in tandem with all local authorities to ensure that all response and mitigative systems are in place and functional.

These systems will include, but are not limited to, all working sluices; kokers; and drainage systems. The aim, according to the President, is to make certain that there is a proactive and coordinated response to the current rainy season with the intent to safeguard livelihoods and property.

Additionally, all Administrative Regions are mandated to regularly update the Task Force (at 12-hour intervals) on any and all impacts. Reports are to describe the communities affected, types of impacts and the measures being taken by the response and technical entities.

The Task Force comprises of the Prime Minister as Chair, and authorities such as the Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Minister of Housing and Water, the Civil Defence Commission’s (CDC) Director General, Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) Chief of Staff, the National Security Advisor, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority’s (NDIA) Chairman, and the Chief Hydrometeorological Officer.

Over the past 24 hours, Regions One to Five has reported accumulated rainfall measuring above two inches. The weather forecast for the next 24 hours predicts continuous rain and thunderstorms across the entire coastland and parts of Regions Seven,  Eight and Ten. Region Nine will see scattered showers intermittently.

Residents countrywide are advised to remain vigilant and take all necessary flood precautions. Also, they are encouraged to report any impacts to local authorities or the National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) on 600-7500 at any time.