Latest update May 6th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jun 15, 2011 News
…logging brought to a halt
By Leonard Gildarie
Heavy rains and swollen rivers continue to wreak havoc around the country with several riverain communities along the Corentyne River now reporting flooding.
Water has risen as much as 40 feet in some areas, surpassing the high levels in 2000, says logger and resort owner, Ganesh Singh, whose properties and operations are under siege from the flood waters.
The waters have been rising since April.
About 10 major logging operations have been affected, with around 200 residents unable to come to grips with the water levels, which in some cases have almost covered two-storey homes.
Singh is estimating millions of dollars in losses after his resort, Cortours, at Wonotobo, was swamped, with some workers even catching large fish in the kitchen area.
“In 2000 and 2008 the water was high, but this is the highest we have seen,” the businessman told Kaieteur News yesterday.
Already, the Guyana Forestry Commission is involved and working on measures to minimize some of the losses. Several shops, generators and equipment were damaged, it was disclosed.
Areas like Goat Landing, Lamb Creek and Cow Falls are all heavily flooded, with residents heavily dependent on the logging activities now being forced to use boats to enter their homes.
In many cases the entire lower flat is under water.
“We are more concerned now about the health risks. People use the river water to drink. This is now mixing with the toilets. It is worrisome.”
Wonotobo is located over 200 miles up the Corentyne River from Skeldon.
In 2000, Cortours was also flooded, with the businessman spending millions to bring the resort back. Other logging operations affected included that of Imran Shaffeullah.
Residents of Kwakwani, located up the Berbice River, are also battling high water levels with government urging residents to consider moving to other areas.
Last week, Region Nine was also hard hit by flood waters from swollen rivers in nearby Brazil. The waters had literally cut several outlying villages and brought operations to a halt as government and volunteers rushed in aid and fuel to residents.
The water has receded considerably and the rush is on to repair the Linden/Lethem road which is the artery to several of the remote villages.
Recent reports have pointed to increased flooding from swollen rivers in the region.
Several persons in Brazil were reportedly killed in recent weeks, with states cut off from each other.
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