Heavy rain causes flooding in city, several regions
Prolonged heavy rainfall yesterday resulted in flooding in Georgetown and across several coastal regions. Thus far four regions have reported flooding especially in lowlying areas.
Flooding in Georgetown led to the closure of many schools and businesses in the city. Mayor Ubraj Narine told Stabroek News that the city was flooded as a result of the heavy rainfall and blockages along many drains. He added that the concrete drains cannot accommodate the quantum of water that gathered and the dimensions do not satisfy the criteria outlined by the engineers.
The city and the government have tussled over responsibility for drainage in the city. This has resulted in the state’s National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) taking the major responsibility for drainage in the city.
Narine stressed that the council has limited resources and finances available to alleviate the flooding which the municipality would usually experience regularly as a result of heavy rainfall. A team from the solid waste management and the engineer’s department was dispatched to several parts of Georgetown and noted that all pumps are operational while the sluices were operating depending on the tide.
The mayor acknowledged that flooding in and around Georgetown has been a problem for many years and as a growing economy, issues of this nature must be prioritized. He added that the developments around the country must include proper systems that will curb the issue given the vast available resources. The Mayor and City Council, Ministry of Public Works and the NDIA must work together to solve the issue, Narine asserted.
Region Four Chairman, Daniel Seeram, told Stabroek News yesterday that reports of flooding were received from various parts of the region especially the low-lying areas. Seeram stated that as a result of the tides they are unable to drain the water as quickly as possible. However all pumps are operational and the low- lying areas reported an increased amount of water. Seeram said that more work needs to be done on drainage and irrigation in the Demerara/Mahaica region. Scheduled maintenance and cleaning of drains have been carried out within the month. He added that the region needs resources and finances to execute their duties. The central government, he opined, is withholding finances and as such it appears as though the region is incompetent as it relates to their duties. Seeram said he is not casting blame on anyone but he believe in solutions and recommendations so that the issues do not repeat themselves. “I am not pointing fingers, but this is what I think should happen so that the issue don’t repeat itself.”
Region Five Chairman, Vickchand Ramphal told this newspaper that a team has been monitoring the water. A lot of water has accumulated on land but residents were not seriously affected. He said that the water has been receding gradually via the sluices.
Parika Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) chairman, Jaideo Sookhoo, meanwhile stated that there have been reports of rising water levels in drains which have overflowed onto roadways and into yards. However, so far residents have not reported any household impact. A team is on the ground monitoring the sluices and pump stations. Additionally Region Three engineer, Vorn