The National Emergency Operations Centre in Guyana has issued the following report on flooding in several regions of the country.

EVENT:
As a result of heavy and continuous rainfall over the last 36 hours, several areas in all ten (10) Regions of Guyana were reported to be flooded. The water level in the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) has risen during this period as follows:

PROGNOSIS:
The Hydrometrological Services predicted generally cloudy to overcast conditions and occasional showers can be expected over all the regions in Guyana. Isolated thunderstorm can be expected over some coastal and near inland areas (regions 2 to 6 and 10). Flash floods can be expected in flood prone areas of regions 2 to 6 and 10 as a result of the heavy rainfall. Rainfall is expected to be between 0.0mm and 40.0mm today, May 7, 2012.

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 Executive Officer advised that there were no reports of flooding in this region

Region 2 - POMEROON-SUPENAAM
The Regional Executive Officer advised that there were no reports of flooding in this region.

Region 3 - ESSEQUIBO ISLANDS-WEST DEMERARA
The Regional Development Officer reported there was no flooding in this region except for Farm Village which was inundated with approximately 3 inches of water.

Region 4 - DEMERARA-MAHAICA
The Regional Engineer reported that there was no flooding in this region except for the Alliance Community in Timehri where the sluice was not opened on time and as a result caused some accumulation of water in this area.

Region 5 - MAHAICA-BERBICE
There were no reports of flooding in this region, however, water level is high in the Abary, Mahaicony and Mahaica Rivers. The water level in the Mahaicony River is said to be critical and the  Regional Chairman and Deputy Regional Executive Officer visited the area today, May 07, 2012 to conduct an assessment of the situation.

Region 6 - EAST BERBICE-CORENTYNE
The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of this region reported flooding in the residential and cultivated areas in No. 1 and 2 Villages, Palmyra. No. 5,7,9,11,13,15, 17,19,21,23,25,27,29,31,33, and 35 villages,  Borlam, Fryish, Kilcoy, Chesney, Albion, Nigg, Belvidere, Hamsphire, Rose Hall, Port Mourant, Ankerville, Haswell, Resource, Miss Phoebe, Tain, Clifton, John,. Bloomfield, Letter Kenny, Auchlyne, Whim. Lancaster, Liverpool, Manchester, Alness, Bush Lot, Adventure, Black Bush Polder, Johanna, Yakusari, Maida, Kilmarnock, Philippi, Cromarty, Wellington Park, Tarlogie, Neville, Brighton, Kiltain, No. 43 Village, Haversham, Epsom, Dingwall, Java,  Bengal, No. 45, 46, 47, 50, 51 ,67 and 68 villages. However the water is receding in these areas.

The RDC reported that at the Port Mourant – John NDC, there is one pump operational and the other 2 are being repaired. It was also reported that the sluice at Liverpool is silted. The sluice at Kilmarnock is unserviceable due to mechanical problems and it is presently being repaired.

Region 7 - CUYUNI- MAZARUNI
There were no reports of flooding except for the Beach View Nursery School. The Regional Executive Officer advised that the water will recede with the tide.

Region 8 - POTARO-SIPARUNI
Regional Executive Officer reported that there were of flooding in Itadac, Tusening, Kapinang, and Monkey Mountain in this region, however, he advised that a detailed report will be sent on the intensity.

Region 9 - UPPER TAKUTU-UPPER ESSEQUIBO
Regional Executive Officer reported that heavy rainfall in the Deep South caused the Rupununi River to overflow its bank resulting in flooding of the flatlands and savannahs. In Karasabai water has already covered two (2) bridges, and there is no access by vehicle to this area. The Ireng River is reported to be very high.

Region 10- UPPER DEMERARA-BERBICE
There were no reports from this region.

PUBLIC BUILDING UPDATES
Schools
Beach View Nursery was closed today, May 7, 2012.

ACTIONS BY THE CIVIL DEFENCE COMMISSION
The Commission continues to monitor and assess the vulnerable communities and conservancies which are usually affected by the heavy rains.

ACTION BY OTHER ORGANISATIONS
Ministry of Health
Nothing to report

Ministry of Agriculture
The Ministry of Agriculture is conducting 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
Nothing to report

NEEDS
The Commission has identified the following immediate needs:

•    Damage Assessments 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
FAX: (592) 225-0486
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.