Flooding in Guyana - Situation Report   # 10 as of 1800 hours, February 29, 2012.
The National Emergency Operations Centre in Guyana has issued the following report on flooding in several regions of the country.

EVENTS:
As the La Nina weather conditions persist over Guyana, several communities particularly in Georgetown and the coastland of Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, were under several inches of water as a result of continuous rainfall over a 24 hours period. According to the Hydromet Department, the rainfall recorded in Georgetown over the last 24 hours was 129mm which exceeded the total amount of rainfall for most locations in the country for the entire month of February.

This heavy rainfall caused the water level in the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) to increase and the excess is being discharged via the Cunha, Land of Canaan and Kofi outlets into the Demerara River.

PROGNOSIS:
It was forecasted by the Hydrometeorological Department of the Ministry of Agriculture that cloudy to overcast conditions interrupted by intermittent showers can be expected in all regions over the next 24 hours. The rainfall amount is expected to be between 0mm and 35mm.

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

AREAS AFFECTED
Region 1 - BARIMA-WAINI

The Sand Jose to Kumaka dam, one of the main access road in the region, is once again inundated. This access road remains impassable to small vehicle traffic.

Region 2 - POMEROON-SUPENAAM
There was no report from this region.

Region 3 - ESSEQUIBO ISLANDS-WEST DEMERARA
The Regional Democratic Council of this region reported flooding in the residential areas and farmlands in the following communities; Wakenaam Island, Parika, Mora, Hyde Park, Vergenoegen, Uitvlugt, De Willem, Zeelugt, Tuschen North, Sara Lodge, Leonora, Anna Catherina, Corneila Ida, Den Amstel, Windsor Forest, La Jalousie, Wallers Delight, Crane, Best Village, Phoenix Town, Bella Dam, Goed Fortune West & East, La Grange, Bagotville, Nimes, North & South Canal #1, Stanleytown, Bell Vue, Patentia. The water level in these communities varies between 2-12 inches. The Education Department of this region reported that Malgre Tout Primary, Vreed-en- Hoop Secondary and Goed Fortune Secondary schools were closed yesterday as a result of the heavy rainfall.

Representatives from the NDCs and NDIA continue to monitor the sluices and pumps within the region.

Region 4 - DEMERARA-MAHAICA
Most of the communities in Georgetown, the East Bank and the East Coast were inundated with between 2-14 inches of water. It was reported by the Mayor and City Council that three (3) pumps, which would usually drainage excess water from the city, are unserviceable. Some homes, stores, public and business offices were also affected by the flooding and a few of the offices and stores were even closed. Notably was the Georgetown Magistrate Court.  Apart from these areas previously mentioned the communities along the Mahaica River that are usually flooded by excessive rainfall were also reported to be inundated.

Representatives from NDIA continue to monitor the sluices and pumps and conduct preventative work within the region.

Region 5 - MAHAICA-BERBICE
Most of the communities along the Mahaica, Mahaicony and the Abary Rivers were also affected by the above normal rainfall experienced over the last 24 hours. Details of the communities affected were unavailable. The Regional Chairman continues to request assistance for the provision of potable water to residents along these three (3) rivers.

Region 6 - EAST BERBICE-CORENTYNE
The Regional Democratic Council of this region reported flooding in the residential areas and farmlands in the following communities; Vryman’s Ervin, Maida, Kilmarnock, Philippi, Cromarty, Wellington Park, Tarlogie, No. 43 Village, Eversham, Kiltairn, Briton, Bengal, Black Bush Polder, Johanna and Yakusari. Two (2) additional pumps were deployed to Yakusari to assist with the drainage of the excess accumulated water. There were reports of damages to cash crops and rice and losses of livestock in the Black Bush Polder communities.

NDIA has reported that all pumps and sluices in these areas are operational and continue to be monitored and preventative works are being conducted within the region as the need arises.

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. The CDC issued in excess of two (2) million water purification tablets to the Ministry of Health to be distributed to the affected communities.

ACTION BY OTHER ORGANISATIONS
Ministry of Health

Nothing further to report.

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
Nothing further 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.
•     Support is recommended for affected residents along the Mahaica, Mahaicony and Abary Rivers

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
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.