Ali activates Cabinet Task Force for countrywide flood response

President Irfaan Ali on Saturday activated a Cabinet-level Task Force to coordinate the response to the current rainy season and potential flood impacts across Guyana, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) announced last night.

A CDC release said the Task Force comprises Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, as Chair, and authorities such as the Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Minister of Housing and Water, the CDC’s Director General, the Guyana Defence Force’s Chief of Staff, the National Security Advisor, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority’s Chairman, and the Chief Hydrometeorological Officer.

It is to work in tandem with all local authorities to ensure that all response and mitigative systems are in place and functional. These systems will include, but are not limited to, all working sluices; kokers; and drainage systems. “The aim, according to the President, is to make certain that there is a proactive and coordinated response to the current rainy season with the intent to safeguard livelihoods and property, the CDC said.

Additionally, all Administrative Regions are mandated to regularly update the Task Force (at 12 hour intervals) on any and all impacts. Reports are to describe the communities affected, types of impacts and the measures being taken by response and technical entities.

The CDC noted that in the preceding 24 hours regions One to Five have reported accumulated rainfall measuring above two inches. It said the weather forecast for today predicts continuous rain and thunderstorms across the entire coastland and parts of regions Seven, Eight and 10. Region Nine will also see scattered showers intermittently.

“Residents countrywide are advised to remain vigilant and take all necessary flood precautions,” the release said, while urging the reporting of flood impacts to local authorities or the National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) on 600-7500 at any time.