Following several hours of rain today, large swathes of the coast have been affected by flooding.

Sections of the Diamond Housing Scheme, Buxton, Unity, Clonbrook, Ann’s Grove, Greenfield and the Dazzel Housing Scheme among other areas were under water while low-lying areas of Georgetown as well as New Amsterdam in Berbice were flooded. The rains are continuing.

The flooded compound of the New Amsterdam Fire station this morning.

Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Green said that they are doing everything within their competence to ensure that kokers are open at regular intervals. Blockages of canals continue to be a problem in some areas of southern Georgetown, he said.  The mayor said that he met with the chairman of the finance committee today to discuss drainage issues including the excavating and clearing of canals and channels. He explained that even if the pumps are functioning but the channels are blocked, the water will not drain off. He said that the channels should be cleared every six months but were not cleared since early last year. According to Green, clearing of the canals is the responsibility of central government.

“If we were given the resources, we would ensure that the general drainage system of Georgetown is one that would be kept with integrity although this would be an extensive process,” he said.

Several drainage pumps have been activated but the one at Liliendaal was earlier this afternoon, non-functional due to a power failure.