The Hydromet Service of the Ministry of Agriculture says that “intermittent rains will prevail until Saturday.”

According to a release from the ministry, Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud has been in contact with the various regions and engineers to make necessary interventions to alleviate the incidence of water accumulation, while additional inspection has been planned for the East Coast and other areas.

The release further stated that “in addition to the ongoing support to the Mayor and City Council, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) will provide an additional hydro-flow pump to increase the pumping capacity at Liliendaal”. This is because one of the two pumps is currently being repaired.

Meanwhile, the ministry is also calling on regional and other local government authorities to be alert and to expedite dam preparation to support the reaping of paddy, which may temporarily be interrupted because of the current unseasonal heavy rainfall.

“The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority will continue to monitor the situation closely in collaboration with regional authorities to reduce the incidence of water accumulation in residential and farming areas,” the release said.