Flood water recedes in Region Eight
GINA, GUYANA, Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Deputy Director General of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Major Kester Craig said flood waters have receded off the land in Region Eight, but water in the Ireng River remains high.
Several farmlands and homes at Kaibarupai, Waipa, Chenapau, Itabac, Kanapang, Kopinang and Sand Hill Settlement, Region Eight were flooded to a depth of 10 to 25 feet. The recent flood in Region Eight which began on May 17, 2017 saw continuous heavy rainfall over a period of approximately five days
The recently flooded Chenapau community
A total 521 households and 266 farmlands were affected during the flood while 61 houses were damaged and 56 were washed away.
Major Craig explained that because of the flood, residents of Kaibarupai were forced to evacuate their homes, and to construct temporary shelters on higher grounds. Even the cassava crop, their main staple, has been affected.
Other impact includes the Kaibarupai Health Post being flooded, a school at Itabac has shifted and become unstable, the school at Kanapang is being used as temporary shelter and damage of roads among others. In this regard a team of engineers will depart for the region to assess roads and buildings affected and formulate a recovery plan to reconstruct the affected buildings. Major Craig said the extent and impact of the flooding continue to be assessed.
Meanwhile in Region Seven, communities including Kako, Kamarang, Jawalla were affected by the flood. Eight houses in Kako were flooded, with 17 persons displaced from homes. These have since returned. At Jawalla, several houses were displaced, preventing approximately 80 families from accessing their homes, Craig highlighted.
The Deputy Director General noted that there have been reports that there is flooding in Kamarang, Warawatta and Waramadong. “The joint team in the Region is in the process of conducting a damage assessment and needs analysis in this area. No new information has been received on the height and impact of the flood in the Imbaimadai, Philippai, Amokokopi, Quebenang and Paruima communities,” Major Craig indicated.
Craig said the situation in Region Seven has been under control by the Region which has officers who are trained in Disaster Risk
Food items that were distributed to some of the affected communities in Region Eight
Management System. However, the CDC has been working diligently and continues to work in close collaboration with partners to bring relief for the flood affected victims in both regions.
CDC has since been part of a joint team investigating the extent and impact of flooding in Regions Seven and Eight, established a Forward Logistics Centre at Orinduik to store and distributed 327 relief food hampers at Chenapau, Kaibarupai, Waipa, Sand Hill, Itabac, Kanapang and 209 relief cleaning hampers at Kaibarupai, Waipa, Sand Hill, Itabac, Kanapang. CDC is preparing to distribute food hampers and cleaning and medical supplies in Region Seven.
To date the government has expended $7,957,892 to provide relief to the affected communities. Over $2M was used for flights while over $4M was used for food supplies for the region.
Other needs the affected communities have include:
- Water tanks
- Buckets
- Water purification tablets
- Mosquito nets
- Insect repellant
- Mattresses
- Tarpaulin
- Clothing
- Rechargeable lamps
- Sports equipment
Persons interested in supporting this cause can contact the CDC, Thomas Road, Thomas Lands, Georgetown on (592) 226-1114, 226-8815, 226-1027 or 225-5847 or (592) 623-1700/600-7500.
Email: info@cdc.gy/chubbyr@hotmail.com/opsandtrg.cdcgy@gmail.com
By: Ranetta La Fleur