Heavy floods hit Guyana’s southern border NCCR on alert

Guyana is rushing food and other supplies to rural communities near the border with Suriname that have been hit by floods caused by overflowing rivers. The floods are caused by heavy rains in Brazil. The situation also poses a threat to Suriname which is why the National Coordination Center for Disaster Control (NCCR) is keeping a close eye on the situation. NCCR Manager Jerry Slijngaard told Times of Suriname that the Guyanese authorities have already been contacted. In the next couple of days Surinamese officials will make contact with the people in South Suriname so that the NCCR can be kept up to speed on the situation. “There is currently no cause for concern but we will remain on alert,” Slijngaard told Times of Suriname. Slijngaard also referred to the floods that hit several locations in the hinterland in February 2017. Those floods were also the result of heavy rains in Brazil. “A flood does not happen immediately after the rain but it takes a while for the water level to rise. That is why we must remain on alert.” An operation aimed at bringing food and other things to villages in the rural areas is currently being carried out in Guyana. Farmers near the southern border with Suriname have suffered heavy losses as all their crops have gone to waste. Dozens of cows also drowned due to the flood. Several centers have been established along the border with Brazil to provide shelter to villagers who have left their villages. Guyana’s Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo on Thursday said heavy rainfall in nearby Brazil has led to swollen rivers in Guyana. He said authorities also are sending grass, bran and molasses to help cattle and horses trapped in flood waters in coastal villages near Suriname. No deaths have been reported.