Ministry of Agriculture flood update

January 31, 2012 (4.00pm)

 

Citizens are advised that the La Nina phenomenon still persists over Guyana. This condition will persist until the end of March 2012. During this time downpours may occur from time to time.

 

Residents are asked to take precautions. Those persons living in low lying

communities are asked to take precautions against flooding.

 

A special advisory is being issued for the resident and farmers of

Mahica/Mahicony/Abary. Please be advised that the Maduni sluice has

been opened as of this morning (January 31, 2012). This has been done

because the water levels in the East Demerara Water Conservancy has risen

above the safe level and therefore the integrity of the dams can be

compromised. At this time the water is being released into the savannah

and should not have an immediate impact on the level of water affecting

residents. Should the rain ease we hope to close the Maduni sluice as

soon as possible.

 

                                                    

Weather Review

 

Yesterday’s rainfall: The Hydrometeorological Service as at 8.00 hours on January 31th, 2012, received reports from a number of its rainfall stations across the country. These reports give a total accumulated rainfall between 8.00 hours January 30th to 8.00 hours January 31th, 2012. The data received during the last 24 hours indicated that the rains were less intense when compared to over the weekend.  The higher intensities were focused mainly on  Regions 2, 3,4  and 5. The highest recorded rainfall for last 24 hours was 104.8 mm which was reported at St. Cuthbert’s Mission in Region 4. Other  notable values were reported at: Cane Grove Back Region 4 which recorded 95.2 mm, Helena in Region 5 recorded 74.8 mm, Kabakaburi in Region 2 recorded 68.8 mm, Letter Kenney in Region 6 received 64.9 mm, 60.3 mm was reported at Grove Mahaicony Region 5, 58.8 mm at Mon Repos Region 4, 57.6 mm at Good Hope in Region 4, 55.6 mm at St Denny’s mission in Region 2 and 55.5 mm at Hague Back in Region 3.

 

Although the rains experienced in January 2012 is above the long-term, it is still less than the climatologically historical rains that were experienced in 2005. Very few stations are experiencing rainfall higher than that which was experienced in 2005.

 

The weather outlook: During the next 24 hours occasional intermittent rain are expected. Rainfall quantities may exceed 30mm during this period.  A reduction in rainfall amount is likely on Thursday.

 

The La Nina phenomenon still persists and is expected to do so until the end of the first quarter of 2012. Therefore, downpours may occur from time to time during February and March 2012 as this mild La Nina continues to influence our weather pattern.

 

Residents in low lying and flood prone areas are asked to take the necessary precautions against flooding.

 

 

The D&I Update will be updated twice per day at 9.00 in the morning and at 4.00 in the afternoon for the next week. Guyana has experienced heavier than normal amount of rainfall over the last 48 hours. The heavy rains have caused the drainage system to be challenged and in some cases floods have resulted.

  • Heavy rainfall has been experienced over the past 72 hours and has continued in Regions 2,3,4,5 and 6 with most low coastal areas experiencing high water levels or flooding. 
  • Flooding in farmlands and residential areas in Oku, Canal No.1, De Buff, Canal No.2, La Grange, Parika back Bellwest, Patentia and Bagotville. Water levels are high in housing areas such as Ruimzegt, Goed Fortuin, Pouderoyen, Region Three.
  • Flood conditions are also reported in  Regions Three, Four, Five and Six in areas such as Lusignan, Montrose, Triumph, Buxton, Bachelors Adventure, Anns Grove, Clonbrook, Belfield, Haslington, Mon Repos, Annandale, Paradise, Dazzel Housing Scheme, Hope/Dochfour, Clonbrook and Beehive, ECD and Herstelling, Diamond, Mocha, EBD Region Four, Supply, Mahaica, Gordon Table, Pine ground, Region Five and New Amsterdam, Vryheid and Rosehall, Region Six. High water levels still remain at Palmyra to Borlam, No.19, Letter Kenny, Wellington Park, Black Bush Polder and Whim, Region Six.
  • In addition, due to constant rainfall, high waters are now experienced in Region Two especially in the Annandale to Riverstown areas such as Pomona Housing Scheme, Dartmouth, Paradise, Airy Hall, Adventure, Mariah’s Lodge and Evergreen.     
  • Increase water level has been recorded in Mahaica and Mahaicony Creeks. Water is rising in Macooba and other areas in Mahaicony Creek.  
  • All pumps and sluices are operable. Two pumps were repaired at Buxton and another pump will be deployed at that location today. One of five pumps is still down for repairs at Montrose. 
  • The water level in the drainage system along the coast of Regions 2 to 6..

 

Region No.Flood AreaHigh Water Level in Channels
1Rainfall heavy over the last three days. Flood threat at Hobodai, Arukamai, Lower Kariabo, Aruka Mouth, and Upper and Lower Kaituma, St. Anslem and Quebanna

 

2Reports of flooding in the upper reaches of  Pomeroon and Supernaam creek.

High water levels in the Annandale to Riverstown areas including Pomona Housing Scheme, Dartmouth, Paradise, Airy Hall, Adventure, Mariah’s Lodge and Evergreen.  

High water levels in the Annandale to Riverstown areas including Pomona Housing Scheme, Dartmouth, Paradise, Airy Hall, Adventure, Mariah’s Lodge and Evergreen.     

 

 

 

 3– Flooding in most of the farming areas in the Canals Polder, La Grange and Parika Back.

– Flooding in Bellwest, Patentia and Bagotville.

-High water levels in Ruby Back, Goed Fortuin and Pouderoyen.   

-Water levels high in La Bagatelle, Thierens and Canefield, Leguan

 

-Water levels High in   La Grange, Goed Fortuin, Pouderoyen and Canals One and Two Polders.   

-High water levels experienced at La Bagatelle, Thierens and Canefield, Leguan and Wakenaam Islands.

4Flooding in areas such as Lusignan, Montrose, Triumph, Buxton, Bachelors Adventure, Anns Grove, Clonbrook, Belfield, Haslington Paradise, Enterprise, Dazzel Housing Scheme, Hope/Dochfour, Clonbrook,  Greenfield and Beehive.

 

On the EBD, Herstelling, Diamond and Mocha to Grove is flooded.

 

Water levels High in  Lusignan, Montrose, Triumph, Buxton, Bachelors Adventure, Anns Grove, Clonbrook, Belfield, Haslington Paradise, Enterprise, Dazzel Housing Scheme, Hope/Dochfour, Clonbrook,  Greenfield, Beehive, Herstelling, Diamond and Mocha to Grove.
5Flooding reported at Woodlands Farm, Mahaicony West, Gordon Table, Pine Ground and Cottage.

– Most of the Mahaicony Creek areas are flooded. 

– Water levels high in Rosignol, No.29, Lichfield, Tempe, Ithaca, Bath Settlement, Hope/Experiment and Blairmont housing areas.

 

High water levels in Mahaicony Creek areas, Gordon Table, Pine Ground and Cottage, Rosignol, No.29, Lichfield, Tempe, Ithaca, Bath Settlement, Hope/Experiment and Blairmont housing areas.

 

6Flooding in some areas of New Amsterdam from Stanleytown to Tucber Park with Vryheid being mostly affected and Rosehall.

– High waters in low areas from Palmyra to Borlam.

High waters at No.19, No.43, Cumberland, Letter Kenny, Wellington Park, Black Bush Polder and Whim.  

Water levels are high from Palmyra to Borlam, Letter Kenny, Wellington Park, Black Bush Polder, No.19, No.43, Cumberland, Whim, New Amsterdam, Rosehall and Vryheid.
10No reports of flooding.Water levels manageable.
Flooding in areas of the city including South Georgetown, Albouystown, Bel Air, sections of Queenstown and South Cummingsburg.High waters levels in South Georgetown, Albouystown, Bel Air, sections of Queenstown and South Cummingsburg.

 

High waters levels in canals in Enmore, Montrose and LBI and Good Hope, ECD, Region Four and Uitvlugt, Region Three and Albion, Region Six.High water levels in Enmore, Montrose and LBI, ECD, Region Four, Uitvlugt, Region Three and Albion, Region Six.

 


East Demerara Water Conservancy

 

Controlled releases of excess water through Maduni outlet and continued evacuation of excess water through Land of Canaan, Kofi and Cunhia outlets. We will continue to monitor the level of the East Demerara and other water conservancies in Guyana.