Flooding in Guyana - Situation Report #7 as of 1000 hours, February 14, 2012
The National Emergency Operations Centre in Guyana has issued the following report on flooding in several regions of the country.
EVENTS:
The heavy rainfall that commenced on January 28, 2012, resulted in flooding in several communities in Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, particularly, those communities located on the Coastal Plain and along the Abary, Mahaica, Mahaicony Rivers, Pomeroon, Black Bush Polder and Canal Polders.

Light to moderate showers are being experienced and water has receded in most of these areas. The release of water from the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) into the Mahaica River through the Maduni Sluice has been stopped.

PROGNOSIS:
It was forecasted by the Hydrometeorological Department of the Ministry of Agriculture that cloudy spells can be expected with isolated showers over some coastal regions and inlands locations. The average rainfall expected is between 0.0mm and 0.15mm.

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, remains inundated despite three consecutive days of sunshine.  

Region 2 - POMEROON-SUPENAAM
There were no reports of flooding in this region. It was reported by the Regional Executive Officer (REO) that the rice farmers have received water for irrigation from the conservancy.

Region 3 - ESSEQUIBO ISLANDS-WEST DEMERARA
There was no report of flooding in this region.

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

Region 4 - DEMERARA-MAHAICA
No reports of flooding, except for the communities along the Mahaica River.

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

Region 5 - MAHAICA-BERBICE
The Regional Chairman reported that the water has been receding rapidly from the communities along the Branch Road up to the No. 10 Village, however from Esau and Jacob and the communities further down the Mahaicony River the water is receding very slowly.  Additionally, the water is receding very slowing from the residential areas and farmlands of the Upper Mahaica Communities including Little and Big Baiboos and Grass Hook.

Region 6 - EAST BERBICE-CORENTYNE
The Regional Democratic Council of this region reported flooding in the residential and cultivated areas in Whim Wire Dam, Bloomfield Housing Scheme, Black Bush Polder, Mibicuri, Lesbeholden, Johanna and Yakusari as result of heavy rainfall the region recently experienced. There were reports of damages to cash crops, 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.

PUBLIC BUILDING UPDATES
Schools

Nothing further to report.

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 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 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.
•     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.