Flooding slowly recedes

– extra pumps provided in some areas

Flood waters in some areas of Georgetown and along the East Coast Demerara have been slowly receding as the East Coast Conser-vancy continues to rise.

According to Chief Executive Officer of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority Lionel Wordsworth, a flagstaff reading at around 3 pm yesterday revealed that the water level in the East Coast Demerara Conservancy is at 57.05 Georgetown Datum (GD), a 0.8 GD increase from Friday with 0.45 GD to reach the release level.

Wordsworth explained that this level is manageable as all systems are being put in place to get as much water off the land as possible. He further stated that highly affected areas along the coast that recorded the highest rainfall were provided additional pumps. Two additional pumps were placed at Helena and two at Supply, Mahaica.

He also said that residents of Cane Grove have been isolated from the farming areas where the NDIA placed three pumps.

In certain parts of Georgetown visited by this publication, the water level had decreased a bit with exception of Albouystown and Ruimveldt where there was still substantial water along the streets and drains were still overtopping.

When Stabroek News visited some of the areas on the East Coast Demerara yesterday, pumps and sluices were seen in operation but there was still water lodged in residents’ yards, school compounds, and other public buildings’ compounds. Persons were also seen cleaning their surroundings.

In the city, cleaning up was underway in drained areas and in others it was being done to facilitate drainage. A hymac was digging the canal along Homestretch Avenue yesterday and workers were observed chest and neck high in the water trying to chop away weeds to allow for the water to flow.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture has issued a weather forecast for next week.

Today, “early morning cloudy skies with occasional light to moderate showers and isolated thunderstorms can be expected over coastal areas between regions 3 to 6 and some areas of Region 10. As the day continues, these areas will experience partly sunny skies. Rainfall is expected between 25.0 mm to 50.0 mm in these areas, highest in Region 5 and 6. Other areas across Guyana can expect mostly fair to cloudy skies with brief showers. Rainfall is expected between 0.0 mm to 15.0 mm.

“Monday, cloudy to overcast skies can be expected in areas of Regions 1 to 4 with scattered to occasional showers during the morning period, becoming partly sunny into the afternoon. Rainfall is expected between 0.0 mm to 25.0 mm over these areas highest in Regions 1 and 2. For the remainder of Guyana, partly cloudy and sunny skies can be expected with afternoon thunderstorms. No significant rainfall is expected in these areas.

“Tuesday, mostly cloudy skies can be expected becoming overcast at times with moderate to heavy showers during the morning over coastal areas between regions 1 to 5. Isolated thundershowers can also be expected in areas of Region 1 and 2.Rainfall is expected between 0.0 mm to 40.0 mm in these areas, highest values can be expected in Region 2. Other areas across Guyana can expect mostly cloudy skies with light passing showers becoming fair and sunny as the day continues. Rainfall is expected between 0.0 mm to 10.0 mm over these areas.

“Wednesday, cloudy to overcast skies can be expected with occasional to frequent showers across the coastal areas between Region 2 to 5. Rainfall intensity is expected to be mostly moderate becoming heavy at times. A gradual improvement is expected in the late afternoon. Rainfall is expected between 0.0 mm to 45.0 mm, highest in Region 3 and 4.

 

“Thursday, apart from a few cloudy spells with scattered showers during the mid-morning into the mid-afternoon, over Region 4 to 6 and in some areas of region 10, mainly fair and sunny skies can be expected. Rainfall is expected between 0.0 mm to 25.0 mm.

“Friday, mostly fair and partly cloudy skies can be expected with brief passing showers. No significant rainfall is expected.”