UPDATE: Water recedes from Region Five communities – four pumps continue to operate
Georgetown, GINA, June 13, 2016
An on the ground inspection of the flood affected communities in Region Five has shown that the water has significantly drained off the land. During a tour of several communities within the region today by officials of the Regional Administration and the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary/Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) it was reported to GINA that the water has receded by almost nine inches.
One of the four mechanical pumps at work
During the tour, several mechanical pumps which were installed by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and MMA/ADA were working to drain the land. Excavators were also seen working, clearing the main drainage channels within the affected areas of Trafalgar/Union. A pump was also installed at Bushlot, West Coast Berbice to drain that area.
Residents of the affected communities have detailed their losses to the officials which include livestock and cash crop; however, they expressed relief at the pace of which the water was drained off the land.
Herbert Hoyte said, “It was bad, the water was under my house but quite a lot has been achieved to get the water off the land.”
Hoyte, a Trafalgar resident is however, pleading for the desilting of the Trafalgar outfall channel, which in his opinion is one of the contributing factors to the flooding.
Land which was inundated – now draining
Addressing the issue of losses suffered by the residents, MMA/ADA General Manager Aubrey Charles said the issue of compensation will be discussed by the MMA/ADA board and along with National Agricultural Research Extension Institute (NAREI) and the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) to address the form of assistance which will be provided.
The Regional Executive Officer, Roderick Edinboro, said he is pleased with the efforts made so far to bring the situation under control and has committed that the Regional Administration will continue to monitor the situation.
One of several excavators at work clearing the drainage canal
Earlier today, Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal told GINA via telephone that the water is receding from several communities within the affected areas in the Region Five and the Regional Administration is working with the relevant stakeholders in determining the impact of the floods and what assistance and relief will be rendered to the affected residents.