Unrelenting rainfall over the past three days have resulted in flood waters in Kwakwani rising even higher just days after inundated residents began reporting that it was starting to go down.
“The rain come like it want bore yuh house top and for two days and half it fall. Today, (yesterday) we had mus’e quarter day sunshine and rain set up again. But this water level raise higher than where it was before it went down a few days ago,” resident Elroy Adolph said yesterday.
According to him, residents are determined to wait out the rainy periods but the situation is worsening. Should heavy rainfall continue as predicted into August, he said residents will be forced to move to higher ground.
Adolph, who is also a regional councillor on the Region 10 Regional Democratic Council, reported that at least 40 persons have chosen to move into shelters set up in the community.
“People are indicating that they are willing to move into shelters but some, like I have explained before, are opting to stay with families. Right now, we don’t know what the situation will be like but we are doing the most we can and are prepared to help the residents,” he stated.
Adolph reiterated that mattresses are needed to accommodate those families moving into shelters. While the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has provided some, there is a growing need as more persons are forced to move into the shelters.
Communities in the Berbice River have seen severe flooding due to the overtopping of the river coupled with persistent seasonal rainfall. It has been almost three weeks since the communities have been heavily flooded and they are witnessing record heights of water on lands.
The Regional Councillor explained that on a daily basis families are reporting not only losses of crops and livestock but also electrical appliances and furniture.
“This has got to be the biggest flood we have seen in decades. From what the older people are telling me, the biggest flood was years ago. What is worrying for the people is that the floods came before the heavy rainfalls in June. Water is high now and we are now starting June and everyone knows June is when the rain falls more,” he previously said.
He also related that they have been distributing hampers to affected persons and are grateful for the support from government and non-government sources.
Water levels at Kwakwani waterfront is estimated to be just over 14 feet, covering some homes and reaching the upper flat of others. Many have recalled that the current flooding the worst in decades.
Addressing, the National Assembly on Thursday, Prime Minister Mark Phillips reported that close to 30,000 households in more than 300 communities across the country have been affected by severe conditions from ongoing rains.
“Based on the latest seasonal reports, it is estimated that we will continue to experience above normal rainfall during the period June to August, 2021,” Phillips said.
“With these conditions expected to continue in the coming weeks, Mr Speaker, residents are asked to take necessary precautions and safeguard against additional flooding, strong winds, lightning and mud slides in their community,” he warned.
According to Phillips, the rainfall experienced during last month alone was recorded as the second highest amount in the country in the last 40 years.
Phillips noted that to date the severe conditions have affected over 29,300 households in more than 300 communities.
“Families, Mr Speaker, have been forced to evacuate and seek sanctuary at shelters due to the damage caused to their homes,” he said.
Presently, Phillips added, 201 persons are housed in shelters after they were forced to flee their homes.
As a result of the situation, President Irfaan Ali has signed a declaration, declaring a level 2 disaster in the country.
“This is a level 2 disaster, Mr Speaker, and what it simply means is that while we have the national capacity to respond and are not yet overwhelmed, we are seeking some external assistance as required to bring relief to the people during this difficult time,” Phillips told the House.
