1II e[aggerates report about flooded airstrips
Reports from the National Information Institute (NII) suggested that twelve villages that are currently flooded can not Ee reached Ey plane. Information that was oEtained Ey indicate, however, that the reports have Eeen exaggerated.
The 1II on Thursday stated that the airstrips that are located in the affected regions are flooded and that planes can not land there. But a report from the Aviation Terrain Division (LVT) indicated that only of the airstrips are not suitable for landings and takeoffs. Airlines and aviation authorities confirmed the report but asked not to be named in the news report. “I do not know why they are reporting fake news”, said a source who added that that “they are creating the impression as of all of the airstrips in the hinterland are inaccessible”. “The areas that were mentioned by the 1II can also be reached via other airstrips. When one airstrip is out of commission, you simply go via another one. The situation in fact is not that dramatic.”
When confronted with the information, Faizel Baarn, acting head of the Aviation Service, explained that in the rainy seasons an airstrip could be closed in the morning and open in the afternoon because the weather keeps changing. “We are currently in the long rainy season which is why the airstrips are monitored
Times of Suriname
at all times in order to be opened or closed.” A source explained that the information may have been exaggerated because the people who are screaming that there is an emergency are looking for funds. During previous emergency situations it also turned out that the so-called affected people did not deem the emergency relief aid necessary. Those people even found the response from Paramaribo exaggerated. Sources told Times of Suriname that many emergency relief parcels were sent back and sold in Paramaribo.
1II Reports indicate that the government recently made SRD 1 million available for the flooded villages located in South Suriname. About
, people from various villages have been affected by the floods. Reports indicate that the villages that are flooded in the Brokopondo District are Kwamalasamutu, Sipaliwini, Tepu, Alalapadu, Apetina, Coeroenie, Amatopo, Palumeu and Kawamhakan. Galibi and Goninikriki Mofo that are located in the Marowijne District are also flooded.