Schools closed faPilies evacuated as water rises

The Regional Emergency Operation Centre of Region Nine, Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo has been activated in response to flood situation. According to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, Cabinet has been briefed on the current situation and the decision taken to use several schools as shelters for affected residents in the areas around Lethem, a town that borders with Brazil. Harmon himself is set to visit the Region Nine communities within hours to assess the situation. The waters are said to be coming from heavy rains in Brazil, which has spilled in the tributaries and flooding rivers. “The Regional Emergency Operation Centre was activated today and recommended that five schools be suspended on July 5. This recommendation was made because some of the schools would have to be utilized as shelters and access to St Ignatius Primary School was inundated and challenging to traverse. The recommendation was brought to the attention of the Minister of Education who granted permission for the schools to be closed. The schools affected are St. Ignatius Primary and St. Ignatius Secondary, Arapaima Primary, Arapaima Secondary and Culvert City Nursery,” Harmon disclosed during yesterday’s postCabinet press briefing. A preliminary assessment conducted by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has identified aviation fuel to support emergency medical evacuations should that become necessary in remote areas, water purification tablets, water storage containers, food and beddings for residents in shelters as emergency needs of the community. “I have been advised by the CDC that these items are available and can be deposited there at short notice,” Minister Harmon assured. On Wednesday, it was reported that 25 residents had been evacuated from their homes and housed at temporary shelters at Culvert City Nursery School, Tabatinga Community Centre and the Amerindian hostel while additional affected residents evacuated to relatives’ homes on higher ground.

(Kaieteurnews)