As the rainy season continues to hit communities throughout Guyana, residents of Ogle on the East Coast of Demerara on Friday took to the streets to express their dilemma, brought on by a clogged canal which has been affecting their livelihoods for a number of months.

Despite prolonged outcries over the blocked channel, several residences and public conveniences are now under water as a result of the lack of much needed

drainage in a time of heavy downpour.

With the main drainage covered in thick vegetation, the water continues to back up into the community, even making its way into villages nearby.

When Guyana Times visited the area on Friday, a number of homes, a school, a temple and several business establishments were among those affected by this backlogging.

Speaking with this publication, Robert Ramdass, the community’s representative on the Neighbourhood Democratic Council, explained the frustrating situation under which the residents are forced to live.

“The problem we are faced with is that this trench is overcrowded (with vegetation), and it is flooded and the pumps are not working. It’s been like that for several weeks,” relayed Ramdass.

The councillor went on to say, “We keep raising the issue at the NCD level and all they keep telling us is that they gonna fix it. They engaging the attention of the Ministry of Infrastructure but nothing is being done.”

The concerned resident even indicated that, as a result of the flooding, students are being deprived of an education, given that the nearby Plindola Nursery School

is unable to conduct regular classes. Ramdass further highlighted that while the Council was meeting on Wednesday, a caiman emerged from the clogged canal, thereby underlining the threats of the unmaintained facility.

“As such, I’m appealing to the Government to do something about this trench here, because it is really bad for the school children. More importantly – and that’s what we’ve been stressing at the NDC level – all they’re doing is promising, and nothing else,” the councilor declared.

Also expressing her plight to the Guyana Times was Lilouttie Singh, a woman who has been residing in Ogle for over 50 years. “Because of this trench, and the pump not working, my house fulla water,” the troubled woman explained. As a matter of fact, Singh noted that the flood has left her no choice but to seek refuge at a nearby residence. She is now reliant on her sister to provide her family with meals.

The clogged canal which has left the community of Ogle under water once again was said to be the property of the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuSo). However, the waterway is reportedly now under the commission of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), and has since been left in a deplorable state. As such, the affected residents are calling on the relevant authorities to pay heed to their appeals so as to prevent further losses.

Residents in the riverine areas at Coomacka Mines, Region Ten (Upper Demerara- Berbice) are presently affected by intense flooding, which according to them, has been caused by the river overtopping about a week ago.

The effects for these residents have been devastating with thehomes and yards of several families in the area still underwater. A resident explained to Guyana Times that the land in the flooded section of the community is “very low”, a fact which sets the stage for intense flooding under the circumstances.
Residents noted that this has been the case for over the past week, and that the water appears to continue to raise higher daily. Residents have also reported that approximately 90 per cent of the Coomacka beach has since been covered. They noted that during a recent visit by Minister of State Joseph Harmon a promise was made to have the river dredged.
In January, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) had responded to threats of erosion to the Coomacka River, an issue which has since resulted in serious concern by both residents and regional officials alike, since almost half the river has since been rendered impassable. NDIA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Frederick Flatts visited the community where he and other officials, including Regional Chairman Renis Morian and Regional Vice Chairman Elroy Adolph, along with officials of the Regional Works Committee assessed the situation. Morian had asserted that while erosion has always affected the river in the community it had become worse. Residents also noted that a few years ago residents had suffered tremendous losses due to river erosion. During the visit by Flatts, officials tried to ascertain the source of the situation as they visited several sites. According to the Regional Chairman, who also served in the capacity of Regional Councillor in the past, the area has lacked maintenance over the past 15 years which eventually led to the situation worsening. Morian also noted recently that years of unregulated mining has had negative impacts on the Coomacka area. During his assessment, Flatts also indicated that the situation with the river had indeed gotten worse. An official also noted that based on assessment, the situation has gotten so out of hand that one can actually walk across the river. (Utamu Belle)

FLOODWATERS have affected poultry, cash crops, and rice fields along the East Canje and East Bank Berbice areas.
Residents of New Forest, East Canje on Friday woke up around 05:00h to their surroundings inundated and Parasram Beepat, a farmer, told Guyana Chronicle that he is involved in a pilot project which is aimed at cultivating onions and potatoes. Though the planting has not begun, the bags of fertilisers and limestone he had stored have all been destroyed as a result of the flood. Similarly, poultry farmer Ishwarant Bishram, was awoken by a telephone call informing him that his seven and 42-day-old chickens died in the floodwater.

The farmers contend that the flood was not caused solely by heavy rainfall and according to Bishram, when he visited his poultry farm; he observed that the Guyana Sugar Corporation’s (GuySuCo) drainage pump was not functioning thereby preventing water from being pumped off the land.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that as a result of heavy rainfall and the spring tide, the Canje River has risen and overtopped into the village which resulted in the flooding. Given the circumstances, Bishram hired a tractor and pump to the tune of $4, 000 per hour to drain the floodwater off his land. By this time, he was only able to save 26 chickens.
Meanwhile, Mahase Rupert called ‘Vicky’, reported that his 200-acres of rice cultivation is also inundated. He told this newspaper that the two-week-old, second crop will be lost as the drains are blocked with overgrown bushes at his farm.

At Lightown, East Bank Berbice (EBB), cash crop farmer, Carlos Chisolm, opined that if the Crown Canal is cleared, water will recede faster, and crops saved. The farmer, who cultivates over five acres of lands, claimed that he lost many cash crops, including boulanger. This publication was told that a contract for the desilting of canals was awarded by the Regional Administration but the identified contractor lacked the required experience and equipment to get the job done. Three machines were reportedly sent to aid in the process but none were operational just after noon on Friday.

Another resident, Mohan Sookhoo, of Deutichem, East Bank Berbice said it is normal for the area to be flooded given the clogged canals. Sookhoo revealed that over 1500 rods of drainage was expected to be desilted before the May/ June rainfalls, but since the contract was given, just 500 rods have been completed.
Though the canals are clogged, sluice operator Ravi, (only name given) believes that the rainfall between Thursday night and Friday morning resulted in the flood. He explained that his shift should have concluded at 14:00h Friday but due to the flood, he was required to go over time to ensure the sluice is open.

Regional Chairman, David Armogan, told reporters, he responded to a complaint of a poultry farmer losing approximately 1, 000 chickens as a result of the flood. “As a result, I decided to visit to see what was happening, I realised that that what has happened is that while there is some rainfall, it is because GuySuCo was using a pump to transfer water from one canal to another canal. However, because the level of the Canje Creek, is so high, the water rode over the dam then it flowed into the farmer’s pen which would have resulted in the birds’ death.”
The Regional Chairman said a number of other farmers have recounted a similar fate with many losing ducks, and citrus plants while many households have also been flooded. “Some people have water as high as 18 inches in their kitchen, and have resulted in the loss of appliances,” he stated.

Armogan noted that while he is saddened by the farmers’ loss, “I do not know who will compensate them for their losses.” The affected farmers have since hired a tractor and pump to get the water off the land. That process is expected to last 24 hours. “I will contact the Regional Executive Officer (REO) to determine whether we can assist to pay for the pump at the cost of $4,000 an hour,” the Regional Chairman said, while disclosing that GuYSuCo had sent a hymac to assist building the dam, but sufficient work has not been done to remedy the situation.
The community of Black Bush Polder was also affected by 12 inches of water in residential areas.

RESIDENTS of First, Second and Third Alleys located on the Wismar shore, in the mining town of Linden, are battling floodwaters as result of recent heavy rains and high tides.
Residents of the small communities related to the Guyana Chronicle that the floods have been going on for the past week but the heavy rains which occurred on Thursday added to their plight, by raising the water above the levels of bottom flats. Yesterday morning (Thursday) when I woke up water deh up to me ankle in me bedroom, and this morning when I wake up me chair in water, me freezer, everything,” Beverly Craig of Third Alley told the Guyana Chronicle. “All I see is all me freezer lights gone, me fridge light gone and the whole chair gone, so I just say me whole house done with and I just bath me skin, walk through the rain and went by me friend,” she said. Craig does not know where she and her daughter will lay their heads as the entire house in inundated and said that she has not seen any regional official visiting the communities to render any assistance. “I still paying Courts for my closet and freezer so I say I gon go into them and see what going on because is done they done with,” she said.

Residents are concerned as to what may have caused the flooding since all of the drains and kokers seem to be working perfectly well and the community has never experienced this level of flooding in the past.
Linden Mayor, Carwyn Holland when contacted on Friday said that he is in Bartica and was just told about the flood and has since requested the Councillor representing the Constituency to pay the residents a visit. Regional Chairman, Renis Morian was also in Georgetown when contacted. Residents of Retrieve were a few weeks back battling to save their houses which were damaged by a freak storm, while one resident of Richmond Hill entire house had collapsed as a result of the storm. Residents of Coomacka have also experienced severe flooding while farmers of West Watooka have been coping with light flooding.

CHILDREN OF North Ruimveldt Multilateral School are exposed to waterborne diseases due to flooding of the school’s compound.

It is believed that the flooding, aside from rain, is caused by persons squatting on the school’s land.

Georgetown Mayor, Patricia Chase-Green, has since requested that an engineer visit the school to determine what is causing the build-up of water in the compound so as to prevent the spread of mosquitoes and waterborne diseases.

Town Clerk, Royston King, reported to the Council this week that the issue is engaging the municipality’s attention.

“We have a number of squatters on the school land and they are facilitating overtopping in that yard which is not a good thing, particularly when we take into account that we are having heavy rains,” King noted.

Just recently, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), urged squatters to commence the process of land ownership before the agency rolls out its action plan against illegal occupancy.

This plan is expected to commence before year-end.

The authority has reported that of the approximately 1200 illegal occupants squatting within Georgetown, at least 400 have been interviewed with the intention of initiating the process to land and homeownership.

CH&PA Community Development Director, Gladwin Charles, told reporters that squatting remains a major concern and challenge to the housing department, resulting in the drafting of an action plan that will see their removal, particularly in critical zones within the City.

“This year, we are looking to have our action plan completed… And even before then, persons must come in to start the process,” Charles said, adding that of the 400 squatters already interviewed, 198 have received house lots.
Outside of this, he said, 350 property titles are being processed and 185 have already been completed.

Charles said whereas in the past squatters erected temporary shelters or shacks, the new breed are building better structures in the hope that by so doing, they will pre-qualify for a home when it is time for them to be removed.

CH&PA Operations Director, Denise King-Tudor, has said CH&PA has registered 3000 persons to obtain housing solutions following the recently held Housing Expo which introduced duplex houses to Guyana.

The authority for this year targeted 2000 persons for property access, and thus far, 355 potential homeowners have accessed housing solutions, while another 1855 persons have accessed titles for their properties, which included existing properties that required remedial work.

Tudor said to meet the authority’s target would depend on the availability of property since the government will construct and issue over 700 housing units this year, along with house lots.

…communities’ water, infrastructural needs to be addressed

THE teams from the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Engineer Corps, which were dispatched to the flood-affected communities in Potaro-Siparuni (Region Eight), have completed their assessments and are in the process of preparing their reports to hand over to the administration for action.

This is even as the residents have expressed their satisfaction with the response by the Government to their needs, after the devastating flash floods last week, which left several homes destroyed and villagers displaced, the Ministry of the Presidency reported Friday night.
According to the ministry, following a visit by Minister of State Joseph Harmon last Sunday to the villages of Itabac and Kanapang, which suffered infrastructural damage, two engineers from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) as well as technical staff from the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) were deployed by the government to conduct an assessment of the damaged roads and buildings and to facilitate water-quality testing and set up purification systems, with a view to determining the long-term response that will be required from the state.

The damage to the road between Kanapang and Itabac, which was one of the major concerns raised by the villagers during the minister’s visit, was examined by Captain Daniel Seeram, Officer Commanding 42 Field Engineers Company and Captain Jocelyn McAllister, Engineering Officer. They also examined the school building and houses, which were badly damaged.
In an invited comment, Captain Seeram said that the team conducted assessments and observations in Itabac, Kanapang and Kaibarupai. The initial assessments, he said, were made for general infrastructure in the villages, approaches to the villages, the trails and bridges, along with any damage done to homes and Government buildings. “One major concern was the bridge and that is totally displaced and dilapidated. The rise in the water level and the force of the water shifted the bridge off its trestles, making it impassable to vehicles and other transportation. The trails between the bridge and Itabac are also in a deplorable state. This is a hazard for persons moving between the villages. In Kanapang, also, the airstrip is unserviceable, resulting in planes landing in the ball field,” Captain Seeram said.

The residents said that they are heartened that the Government has listened to their needs. Ms. Karsha Lewis, a resident of Kanapang, in an invited comment, said that the village is most grateful and appreciative of the efforts of the Government. “The Government has been doing a good job in sending foodstuff and other relief for the people here and it has been very good, so we want to say thanks. For everyone here particularly, who have lost all that they had, it means a lot and the village of Kanapang says thank you,” she said.
Mr. Yaron Jaron, another resident, said that while he has lost everything, he is hopeful that the Government will provide the necessary assistance to help him to rebuild. “The Government has been helping and I would be appreciative of the Government’s help to rebuild,” he said.

Meanwhile, a team comprising representatives from the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs and the GWI visited the affected communities to conduct further assessments of the damage and impacts to housing, agriculture and water. Thus far, GWI said that the water system in the community of Kanapang was reported to have been contaminated; with the water in the well now having a very discoloured appearance. The well at Itabac, on the other hand, is currently unserviceable as the solar panel, which powers the well, was struck by lightning during a recent thunderstorm. Mr. Jamal Duncan, Hinterland Engineer, said that the company has taken note of all the issues identified and will be working to address these in the coming weeks.
Mr. Michael Gouveia, Coordinator for the Hinterland Regions at the Ministry of Public Health, in an invited comment, said that the ministry has been working with the villages to establish care instructions, which can guard against water-borne diseases. He noted that while there is no health crisis at this time in the region, the ministry is ensuring that preventive measures are taken seriously. The health team in the region comprises doctors, nurses, immunisation officers, environmental and health officers, veterinarians, surveillance officers and an official from the Pan American Health Organisation.

In the meantime, over at Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region Seven), joint field assessments continue to investigate the level and extent of flooding, in addition to the impacts to the communities. While water has receded from some areas and mostly farmlands are now severely affected, Phillipai is reported to have experienced storms with very high winds during the previous period of heavy rainfall, which resulted in the felling of trees in the area. Additionally, the community has suffered several landslides resulting in several trails through the village, being covered in slush.
Reports were received that the airstrip in Paruima, which is approximately 60 feet above the normal level of the river, has been flooded. Additionally, erosion of the river bank has started to occur. The CDC however, has already deployed 142 relief hampers to its Forward Operations Centre at Kamarang for distribution to the communities, even as it is preparing child-specific hampers for distribution to infants and school- aged children in the flooded communities. In addition, the RDC, which had worked alongside the CDC earlier this year to complete the Regional Multi-Hazard Preparedness and Response Plan, has activated its Disaster Risk Management Committee and has been actively responding to the flooding in the area.

RESIDENTS of Number 59 to Number 60 Villages, East Berbice, Corentyne,
are blaming the Number 52-74 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC) for the almost

knee-high flooding in their villages.

The overnight rains resulted in damage to property and loss of livestock, as well as to crops and groceries.

According to residents, a small HDPE tube approximately 2.5 feet in diameter drains water from as far as Number 52 to Number 60 villages into the main drainage canal.

This tube, the residents explained, was placed too high and was also too small to allow for the free flow of water.

“This place start fuh flood since them put down the tubing and we explain to them that it too small but them seh that the government nah get money to put a bigger one. So when the rainy season start last year, we ask the RDC [Regional Democratic Council] chairman fuh buss the dam and allow the water to run off into the next canal quickly and we didn’t had any flood. Now one night rain and the whole place duck,” Dasrat Mohabir, a resident of Number 59 village said.

He claimed that when the rainy period ended last year, some other residents lifted the tube from its original spot, causing the area to erode.

The erosion was fixed by the NDC and when they replaced the tube, it was placed higher than its original position, causing more water to accumulate before it started to drain.

“Me tell them the tubing deh too high and them seh it deh alright that the water gun flow. Them revet the place and me tell them why them nah just put a bridge like what was there before and we won’t get any more flood but them nah listen,” Mohabir said.

He explained that the regional chairman on Saturday gave approval for residents to open the dam as they did last year to allow the water to pass, but when they started to dig, they were stopped by other residents and NDC officials.

FIGHT
“When me go fuh open the dam like last year, them start fuh fight and call in the police and suh. Them seh we can’t open the dam and start fuh fight. When we call back the regional chairman, he change he mouth and said we can’t open the dam anymore; we gotta talk to the NDC. Them mek we full it back or them seh the police gon lock we up.”

Mohabir explained that the NDC chairman is currently out of the district attending to a family emergency and those under his charge are giving residents a hard time.

He and other residents are accusing the NDC representatives of neglecting their interest.

“This water gotta travel all the way from 52 and come here and if it can’t drain quickly, it gun continue to swell. This morning it was only about six inches high, now it reach up to you knee, all me yard fowl them get cramp and dead, me just throw them away,” another resident Hardat Kissoon said.

Rampersaud (only name given), also a resident and mother of three, lamented
that the situation is unhealthy, especially for the children who are currently writing end-of-term examinations.

“All body toilet run over in the water, me get lil children and them can’t even come out. All toilet water ah come till me bottom house and the water nah ah go down, it ah rise more cause the drainage trench block up all two side. Them can’t go school, them a write test wha u think gon happen to them,” she asked.

ONLY SOURCE OF INCOME
According to Geeta Goolcharran, a cash crop farmer, she lost all her pepper, bora, squash and boulanger, which provide her only source of income and is now contemplating how she will survive this week.

Indrawattie Ramkissoon, a shop owner of Lot 181, Number 59 Village, also complained bitterly. She related that when she woke up Saturday morning, her entire shop was under water.

“Everything flood, me lost soap powder, rice, potato, onion, garlic; over $200,000 me had to throw away,” she said.

Salima Wahab, a mother of four, pleaded with the Guyana Chronicle to publicise her plight, saying that she is helpless and hopes the authorities can look into the situation.

“My children they home since Thursday. Them can’t walk in that water, it
deh till to them knee since then them deh upstairs. Me ah beg if anybody can help us out, it would be really good, me nah know who fuh turn to,” she said.

The number 52-74 NDC is the largest NDC in the region and is controlled by the Opposition PPP. Residents are calling on central Government to step in and help them, since they believe that they are being neglected by the NDC officials.

“We want the government to act on our behalf and assess the situation. The tubing too small, either they put a bigger one and put it lower or they remove it and put revetment across the dam and place a bridge like they had before, so the water can run off quickly. This is only two days of rain and while we understand it was a lot, this would have never happened if the water was allowed to drain faster,” Mohabir said.

Rain on Friday night into Saturday morning has left many communities under water, but late Saturday afternoon the water started to recede as sluices and drainage pumps become operational.

But residents at Number 58-60 villages on the Corentyne are still under considerable amount of water due to slow drainage.

-cleared alleys, drains, aided the resistance

DESPITE persistent downpours over the past few days, the capital city of Georgetown was not inundated.
When the Guyana Chronicle travelled around Georgetown on Saturday, June 24, it was discovered that areas that are usually flooded withstood the heavy rainfall.
Though there were sights of water puddles in the road, no serious damage was seen. Areas such as Festival City, South Ruimveldt, Albouystown, Alexander Village and Queenstown were some of the communities that showed resistance against the rainfall.

Residents of South Ruimveldt expressed their gratitude to the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and Government of Guyana (GoG), for working around the clock to ensure that drains and alleys were cleared so that water could recede fast.
An elderly man of South Ruimveldt, who identified himself as Stanley, recalled the days when his area would be flooded “as soon as rain fell.”
“With all of this rain that falling, water would normally be at the door of almost everyone in this community… because of this, persons had to raise their yard so that they can withstand the flooding,” he said.

Stanley believed that the usual phenomenon was averted because of the constant drainage work that is ongoing in the area.
Residents of different communities shared similar sentiments but, some were unsatisfied with the work in their area and even alleged that they were neglected by the relevant authorities.
A few persons from Alexander Village complained about drains not being attended to adequately by the M&CC.

Their contentions were however contradicted by many others from the said village, who said they were pleased with the efforts to control the flood situation in the community.
Meanwhile, the Guyana Chronicle reported on Friday that half of the M&CC’s budget of $240M for drainage has been expended so far, to ensure that floodwaters recede rapidly during the ongoing rainy season.
Town Clerk, Royston King, was reported in the publication as saying, due to persistent downpours over the past few days, the M&CC has been forced to take action in order to prevent flooding in areas around Georgetown.

“Extensive work is being done in critical areas such as Alexander Village, all the divisions of Ruimveldt, Campbellville and some sections of Queenstown,” said Chief Engineer of M&CC, Colvern Venture, who added that most of their challenges are faced in the southern part of the city because of the prevalence of squatters who hinder their ability to access the canals.
The Council was nevertheless able to deploy employees, who are working to ensure that blockages and waterways are cleared in order to allow water to reach quickly to sluices and pumps, said Venture.

–as authorities battle floods caused by persistent rain

SEVERAL East Coast Demerara (ECD) villages were under water on Saturday and the authorities are urging residents across the country to take precautionary measures as efforts to alleviate flooding continue.

Persistent rainfall over the past several days have resulted in an inundation of low–lying areas across the coastland, and on Saturday, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, led a team of engineers, government officials, and media operatives on a visit to the communities of Buxton, Vigilance and connecting villages on the ECD in response to recent heavy rainfalls that have left many homes flooded.

Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, who was present, provided critical updates on the works being undertaken by his ministry, through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA).
Frederick Flatts noted that most of the 58 pumps across the coastland were in operation. According to a release from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, a pump would be relocated from the village of Strathspey to Ogle in order to provide relief to residents in Atlanticville, the University of Guyana (UG) area, and Cummings Lodge.
“So, by midnight tonight, they [the residents] should start to have some relief,” Minister Patterson said.

Minister Patterson told the media that he has requested the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to revisit the area in the coming days to address the concerns of residents. He added that several interventions will be taken by the Government of Guyana (GoG) over time, while more immediate efforts will be undertaken to provide relief to the residents. These include the distribution of care packs containing sanitation items, to ensure the welfare of residents is addressed.

“We do empathise with the persons who are under water at the moment, and we’ve asked them to take precautions for the next three days because the weather forecast does say that we will have rain,” Patterson said. According to him, the authorities including the NDIA and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) will work its utmost to alleviate the situation.
During the Buxton visit, this newspaper observed that the floodwaters were high in certain

areas, including several yards near the Buxton Sideline Dam. Villager, Michael Todd, related that his yard has been under water since Thursday resulting in his entire garden where he plants vegetables being destroyed . He said that the koker near his yard is utilised for channeling the water out of the area but pointed out that the structure has been covered with water since Friday morning.

Along the Church of God road in Buxton, several yards were also flooded and persons there noted that the water level is expected to remain high until the rains eases.
At Stratsphey, several homes which are built on the government reserve were also affected by the floodwaters. The homes were built beyond a canal which is used by GuySuCo for drainage and irrigation purposes.

Several communities along the lower ECD, including Success and Better Hope were also under water when the team visited on Saturday.
According to the Hydromet Department, over the next three days, cloudy to overcast conditionswith isolated thunderstorms and intermittent rainfall is forecasted. In addition, inland and coastal areas can expect 20 to 80 millimeters of rainfall.