Karasbai cut off from Rupununi as floodwaters continue to rise

The Karasabai Sub-District is now cut off from the rest of the Rupununi and one Lethem family has been relocated to a shelter as the water levels in the region continue to rise.

Regional Chairman Bryan Allicock told Stabroek News last evening that Karasabai, in the South Pakaraimas, has been cut off from the rest of the region, while a family residing in the Tabatinga area in Lethem had to be relocated as a direct result of the rising water levels.

Allicock said that they are expecting a visit from the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) on Sunday to determine the scale of the issue in the Karasabai Sub-District and to identify possible solutions.

Regarding the situation in Lethem, Allicock said different persons in the town have been tasked with monitoring several areas.

Stabroek News was also told that a team is expected to visit the eroding Lethem-Shulinab Road to further assess if anything can be done to remedy the situation, even if temporarily.

He noted that though an alternative route had been identified between the communities of Katoonarib and Karaudarnau, commuters have reported that the journey via that option has proven to be much more time consuming.

Nevertheless, one of the main access bridges to the Deep South Rupununi remains inundated and the situation has left some people stranded.

Acting Director General of the CDC Lt. Col. Kester Craig previously told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the CDC will be visiting and assessing the flood-affected areas. He added that the CDC is monitoring the Takutu and Ireng rivers along with the roadways.

Craig noted that the main aim of the visit is to locate deficiencies in the region’s preparedness and response capability and work towards enhancing them.

“We’ll be looking at the shelter capacity, or the status of the location identified for shelter, supplies for relief, health facilities to see if there are adequate drugs in the result of an outbreak, and we will also look at the response coordination system in the region to see how we can strengthen and give them support,” the report quoted Craig as saying.

He also encouraged residents to stockpile food, water and medical supplies, as well as household items.