Flooding in Guyana - Situation Report   # 1 as of 1900 hours, January 31, 2012.
The National Emergency Operations Centre in Guyana has issued the following report on flooding in several regions of the country.

EVENT:
Continuous rainfall commenced in Guyana on Saturday January 28, 2012 to present. This resulted in flooding in several communities in Region 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, particularly, those communities located on the Coastal Plain and along the, Abary, Mahaica, and Mahaicony rivers. The water in East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) reached its critical level and water is being released periodically during the low rides into the Mahaica River through the Maduni Sluice into the Maduni Creek. The release of water in the Mahaica River is exacerbating the flooding already experienced by the communities along the Mahaica and Mahaicony Rivers.

PROGNOSIS:
The Hydrometeorological Department of the Ministry of Agriculture forecasted  general cloudy conditions are  expected with scattered to heavy showers with periods of intermittent showers in Region 1 to 6, 8 and 10 today with rainfall  expected between 0.0mm and 25.0mm.

Additionally, for the rest of the week, the country especially the coastal regions can expect cloudy conditions with moderate showers.

The flooding of communities along the Mahaica and Mahaicony Rivers is more than likely to get worst in the next 24 hours as result of the release of water in the Mahaica River.

IMPACT
Total loss, and the total number of persons affected to date, are yet to be determined.

AREAS AFFECTED
Region 1 - BARIMA-WAINI
The Regional Democratic Council of this region reported that Moruca, Sand Jose to Kumaka, Tucupitha to Maturin, Kamw atta to Haimaracabra, Rinion to Cabrora and Waramuri to Para districts are flooded. The extent of the flooding was not reported since a proper damage assessment was not conducted.

Region 2 - POMEROON-SUPENAAM
There are reports of flooding from all the NDC’s except River’s Town NDC in this region. Some of the areas affected include Annandale to Riverstown including Pomona Housing Scheme, Airy Hall, Adventure, Mariah’s Lodge, Reliance, Anna Regina, Henrietta, Richmond Housing Scheme, Lima, Paradise, Dartmouth and Evergreen. The levels of the water in these areas were not reported.  

The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) reported that a pump was deployed to Devonshire Castle to facilitate drainage.  Representatives from NDIA continue to monitor the sluices and pumps within the region.

Region 3 - ESSEQUIBO ISLANDS-WEST DEMERARA
The following communities have been reported to be flooded Vertrouwen, La Bagatelle, and Maria’s,Lodge Leguan, Mora\Parika Ruby Back, Stewartville, Leonora, Groenveldt, North Anna Catherina, Block X and Y Corneliia Ida, Blankenburg, Ruimzegt,  Wallers Delight Squatting Area, Crane, Best Village, South Vreed-en-Hoop, Pouderoyen, Western Goed Fortuin Public Road, Old Road La Grange, De Buff Inner and Outer Bagotville,  Belle Vue, Goed Intent and Patentia, Thierens, Canefield, Oku, North and South Canal Number 2 Polder and Canal Number 1. These communities’ farmlands and residential areas were inundated between 2- 9 inches of water.

Residents have commenced moving livestock to higher grounds.

The NDIA reported that all pumps are operable, mobile pumps were deployed to Blankenburg and Canal Number 1, and other preventative actions are being taken in the affected areas.  Representatives from NDIA continue to monitor the sluices and pumps within the region.

Region 4 - DEMERARA-MAHAICA
The Regional Democratic Council of this region reported flooding on the East Coast Demerara including Greenfield, Beehive, Clonbrook, Anns Grove, Dochfour, Lusignan, Hope, Paradise, Enterprise, Dazzel Housing Scheme, Buxton, Annandale, Mon Repos Triumph and Montrose. On the East Bank Demerara including, Diamond New Housing Scheme Herstelling, Diamond, and Mocha.  Mostly the residential areas were inundated with between 2 inches to 3 feet of water. Cash crops, cattle and poultry of some of the residents were also affected by the flood water.

Representatives from NDIA continue to monitor the sluices and pumps and conduct preventative works within the region. Unserviceable pumps were also repaired and additional pumps were deployed to the most critical areas.

Some of the main roads in these communities were covered with between 2 inches to 3 feet of water. Bare Root roads were covered with between 2-3 feet of water.

Region 5 - MAHAICA-BERBICE
The Regional Democratic Council of this region reported flooding in Blairmont residential area, Mahaica, Supply, Mahaicony including the creek area, Fellowship, Nover, Huntley, Woodlands, Farm, Bellemy Canal, Gordon Table, Pine Ground, Rosignol, Ithaca, Bath Settlement, No 29, Tempe, Lichfield and Hope.

The farmlands in most of these areas were significantly affected in addition to the livestock. Residents are continuously pumping water out of the rice cultivation area in an effort to save the rice crops.

NDIA reported that all pumps in these areas are operational.

Region 6 - EAST BERBICE-CORENTYNE
The Regional Democratic Council of this region reported flooding in New Amsterdam and its environs, Tucber, Canefield, Canjie, Cumberland, Fort Ordnance, Palmyra to Borlam, 19 Village, Chesney, Albion, Rose Hall, Letter Kenny, Whim, Liverpool, Alness, Adventure, Wellington Park, and Black Bush Polder.

Two (2) Guysuco pumps were deployed in the Canjie area to assist in the draining of the flood water.

NDIA reported that all pumps and sluices in these areas are operational and they continue to monitor the sluices and pumps and conduct preventative works within the region.

PUBLIC BUILDING UPDATES
Schools
In Region 4, the Enmore Nursery and Primary Schools were closed today January 31, 2012 as a result of the flooding.

In Region 5, the Lichfield Nursery School, Rosignol Secondary School, No. 10 Primary School and Baiboo Primary School were closed today January 31, 2012.

ACTIONS BY THE CIVIL DEFENCE COMMISSION
The Civil Defence Commission deployed two teams to the East Coast Demerara and in the Mahaica/Mahaicony to assess the effects of the flooding and verify some of the reports received. The Commission continues to monitor and assess the vulnerable communities and conservancies that are usually affected by the heavy rains.

ACTION BY OTHER ORGANISATIONS
Ministry of Health
The Ministry of Health reported that teams are on standby to respond.

Ministry of Agriculture
The Ministry of Agriculture continues to conduct assessment of affected areas and representatives from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority continue to monitor the pumps, sluices and conservancies in all the affected regions.

Guysuco
Guysuco reported high water levels on the canals at Montrose, La Bonne Intention, Good Hope, Uitvlugt and Albion. All the pumps and sluices are operable except for one pump at Montrose.

NEEDS
The Commission has identified the following immediate needs:

•    Damage Assessments including an aerial reconnaissance to be conducted to identify and quantify the extent of the flooding in the regions
•    Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping of all the affected communities to determine the water level and to assist in decision making.

NATIONAL EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTRE (NEOC)
Contact Information
Address: Civil Defence Commission, Thomas Road, Thomas Lands, Georgetown.
Telephone #: (592) 226-1114, 226-8815, 226-1027 or 225-5847
24 Hours #: (592) 600-3000, 624-9000
FAX: (592) 225-0486
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