Region Nine flooding being assessed
– Min. Ferguson on site
– Five schools closed, used as temporary shelter for 48 persons
DPI, GUYANA, Thursday, July 5, 2018
Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson is currently on the ground in region nine, assessing the level of damages as the flood situation has worsened.
Regional Chairman of Region Nine, Bryan Allicock told the Department of Public Information (DPI) today that the water level continues to rise in sections of the region.
“The water is still coming in at the airstrip, water is about two and a half to three feet near to the Takatu gas station,” he told DPI in a telephone interview.
He explained that 48 persons are being sheltered at the Arapaima Primary School, the sports complex and the Amerindian Hostel. Twenty farms in Karasabai are under water, while livestock is under threat, the chairman said. The Karasaibai district is completely “cut off”.
The flooding has resulted in five schools being today. These include St. Ignatius Primary, St. Ignatius Secondary, Arapaima Primary, Arapaima Nursery and Culvert City Nursery schools.
These closed schools will be used as shelters to provide much-needed relief to affected residents.
The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has been engaged and is currently working with the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Nine to provide relief and support to affected residents.
Over the past week, heavy rains caused flooding in the South Pakaraimas, Deep South, and Central Rupununi areas. Alternative routes, between communities of Katoonarib to Karaudarnauwa, were identified so that residents and vehicles can safely travel to their destinations.
Annually during the dry season, the Rupununi experiences drought. This has been mitigated with the construction of reservoirs and the drilling of several wells. In the rainy season, waters from the mountains in the highland region enter creeks and streams which lead to the rivers which are unable to take the large volume of water.
By: Alexis Rodney.