Bartica residents have been without power since yesterday afternoon following heavy rains, which flooded the Guyana Power and Light power station at First Avenue.

Television talk show host Winston Miller, in an interview with Stabroek News last night, said that following a heavy downpour which lasted for nearly two hours, the entire station was flooded forcing a total shut-down.

However, according to Miller, the flooding could have been prevented had there been proper clearing and cleaning of the drains surrounding the power station.

“The drains have been neglected and the water from the roof of the newly constructed drains has caused them to full up more,” he said. Up to late last night, the entire Bartica community was in complete darkness except the more fortunate residents who own businesses and have generators.