Georgetown, GINA, January 7, 2004

The Ministry of Agriculture has announced that it will immediately establish two committees to monitor health problems and loss of livestock and produce due to recent flooding.
Following heavy rainfall during the past two weeks, several villages have reported flooding with the majority of affected areas in Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica).
At a media conference today, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Other Crops and Livestock Mr. Satyadeow Sawh said the committee to assess the situation in regard to health and health related issues will comprise the Regional Chairman of the particular Region or a representative, one representative from the Ministry of Health and another from the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development.
The other Committee to assess crop and livestock losses by farmers in each Region will comprise the Regional Chairman or a representative, one representative from the Ministry of Agriculture and another from the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development.
Minister Sawh pointed out that this does not mean that Government will provide assistance but the situation will be assessed and discussed at Cabinet after which Government will decide how it can assist.
The Minister said all Regions have been tasked with providing a short and long term list of requirements for emergency works, to be considered by Government for funding. He will also meet all major stakeholders to discuss what mechanisms can be put in place to ensure that the situation does not recur.
Minister Sawh reiterated Government’s priority, which is to get the water off the land. He held a meeting with Regional Officials from the affected Regions when an update was provided on the situation in these areas.
Chief Hydrometerological Officer Dilip Jaigopaul said according to reports from the Coastal stations, rainfall on January 4, was two to two and a half inches. A sustained decrease is expected after January 15.
Other Regions slightly affected include Regions Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), Five (Mahaica/Berbice), Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) and 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice).
Regional Chairman of Region Two, Ali Baksh, noted that the Region was fortunate, since drainage and irrigation works were completed and the Region did not experience flooding. He said that due to the response by the agencies involved, the heavy rains did not adversely affect the Region.
In Region 10, no major flooding was experienced. Regional Vice-Chairman Ms. Joy Walton said the drains were not blocked, allowing the water to flow. But in some areas the drains were plugged due to construction works. But these have since been cleared and the water receded after a few hours.
Regional Chairman of Region Six Mr. Kumkarran Ramdass said there have not been any reports of flooding. Regional authorities visited areas prone to flooding, including East Bank Berbice, Black Bush Polder and Number 19 Seawell, but no flooding was evident.
Regional Chairman of Region Five Mr. Harrinarine Baldeo said some farmers in the Mahaica River experienced flooding but other areas were not affected. He noted that the rainfall came later in some parts of the Region. Areas including Mahaica, Abary and Mahaicony are usually flooded but to date there have been no such reports.
In Region Three the situation has been reported as stable. Some over-topping occurred at the Boerasirie Conservancy but there was no major flooding. In the Greenwich area the water has receded.
Work is still ongoing in Region Four, the hardest hit area, to ensure that the pumps are working around the clock to drain the areas. Villages most affected include Cane Grove, Clonbrook, Buxton, and Noot-en-Zuil.
Guysuco reported that it is presently operating at between 90 to 95 percent pumping capacity. Of 19 pumps, 18 are working around the clock.
Chief Executive Officer of the National Drainage and Irrigation Board Ravi Narine reported that the pumps have created an impact on the situation, since water has receded in most areas. At Cane Grove the pump at Huntley developed problems but that was fixed, and it has been in operation since Monday.
He noted that on Sunday rainfall was recorded at 3 inches, which compounded the problem.
At Strathaven, two electricity pumps are in operation while engineers have been sent to look at the Clonbrook sluice to investigate problems with one of the doors.
At Noot-en-Zuil, the area is being drained through pump stations at Hope and Victoria, since the sluice is under maintenance.
According to Mr. Narine, Buxton received a mobile pump about three to four years ago but it was vandalized and it is difficult to source parts. The area is being drained through the Guyana Sugar Corporation (Guysuco) facilities at Annandale and Lusignan.
The Liliendaal pump falls under the jurisdiction of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC). It is currently being repaired.