Relocation under consideration for flood-prone Mahdia residents

― “We will work with authorities to relocate those in flood-hit areas” – Mahdia’s Mayor David Adams

― areas for possible relocation of flood-prone residents to be identified with Housing Department’s assistance

By Paul Mc Adam

DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Regional authorities of the Potaro-Siparuni Region are considering the removal of residents who reside close to creeks in flood-prone areas in the region.

According to Mahdia’s Mayor, David Adams, the recent seasonal flash floods affected low lying parts of Mahdia and has once again highlighted the need for regularisation of properties in affected areas.

Council, he noted, will advise those who reside in the flood-prone areas to relocate, “we will talk to them, encourage them to move from the affected area. We will work, in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing to have an area identified to which we can relocate them.”

Mayor Adams informed that relocation from the affected areas is a decision that will be made by the residents, “some of them [have been] attached to there for a long time. We’re going to encourage them to make a move and occupy other areas.” He explained that looking ahead, a regularisation plan for the construction of homes will prevent the recurrence of homeowners being affected by the seasonal flash floods.

A pickup truck crossing a submerged bridge in Mahdia

A homestead next to an overflowing creek in Mahdia

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson and Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman handing over a cleaning kit and food hamper to a flood-affected Mahdia resident

A Mahdia resident demonstrating the height of flood waters, on May 25, after two days of flash floods

Civil Defence Commission’s Team Leader, Captain Salim October speaking with a flood-affected resident of Mahdia

Mahdia’s Deputy Mayor Juewayne Burrowes briefing CDC Team Leader Captain Salim October during the flood assessment

Civil Defence Commission’s Team Leader, Captain Salim October and Captain Michael Andrews speaking with flood-affected Mahdia resident, Bendon Johnson

David Boyce, a mechanic whose workshop and home located next to a creek were flooded in Mahdia

The Mahdia’s Chief Citizen, on behalf of the Mahdia residents, expressed gratitude to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) for its quick response “and sending in relief supplies to persons who were affected.” He also acknowledged Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson and Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman for visiting the town with an engineering team, to conduct a first-hand assessment of the situation on May 25.

Rains, which intensified on May 23, caused flash flooding in the region and resulted in several homes and businesses being under as much as four feet of water in some low-lying areas of Mahdia. Many of those affected were adjacent to creeks and waterways, which criss-cross the town.

After receiving reports of flooding in low-lying sections of the town, the CDC dispatched a two-member team to assess the situation on May 24.

The team, headed by Captain Salim October, conducted assessments at several locations hardest hit by the flash flooding. Most of those affected were in houses built close to creeks and outfalls, despite warnings not to do so. The flash flood was as a result of torrential rains.

Cleaning kits were distributed to 14 households which were affected. Additional supplies were mobilised and deployed to the region.

The CDC, through the National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS), is continuing to monitor the flood situation in various regions across the country. Currently, the focus is being placed on Aishalton and Sand Creek in the Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo Region and Mahdia.

As the rainy season continues, authorities are monitoring the situation closely to ensure that lives and properties remain safe, as far as possible.

Images: Jules Gibson