Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Dec 30, 2013 News
– spring tides begin today
Residents in low lying areas are being urged to take full precautionary measures against flooding.
The Ministry of Agriculture in a press release yesterday explained that heavy showers are expected along the coastal regions over the next 24 hours.
“Heaviest rainfall is expected over Regions Five and Six. Given high water levels in canals and saturated land, flooding conditions can result,” the statement said.
It emphasized that “Areas for attention include Black Bush Polder and villages of Lower and Central Corentyne, Canal Polder, Pomeroon and a number of villages along the Essequibo Coast.”
Already, farm lands in Riverstown and Airy Hall, Essequibo Coast have been flooded.
However, according to Regional officials there, this is as a result of a main dam between the two villages being punctured.
Should the dam not be fixed in time for the approaching spring tides, the flood water, which now stands at a few feet high, will rise significantly.
The Agriculture Ministry said that the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority via its various Regional outlets and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), is closely monitoring all flooding situations.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Public Works in a public advisory said that spring tides are expected during the period of December 30, 2013 to January 5, 2014.
The highest tides are expected to be on Thursday at 16:50hrs at the height of 3.30m, and on Friday at 17:38hrs at a height of 3.27m.
“The predicted tide indicated above normal levels for this impending period,” the advisory said.
It also advised persons to not use beaches and foreshore areas for recreational purposes, and urged that fishermen operating both small and large vessels take precaution.
Just late November, a few days of flooding, due to heavy rain, brought the city to a standstill, with more than 42 schools and several businesses having to cease operations.
Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy had described that rainfall as being the most intense the country has ever recorded during a six-hour period.
Shortly after, the Government via Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon, blamed the Guyana Hydrometeorological Office for failing to provide timely warning.
During the time of the last flood, several water pumps in and around the city were not in working condition.
This is despite the government expending billions of dollars on drainage and irrigation systems. The 2012 budget had said that government pumped $7.1 billion into this area.
In the 2013 budget, a total of $6.5 billion was budgeted for the final payments towards the acquisition of fixed irrigation pumps, the construction, and rehabilitation of pumps and pump stations in Regions -Three, Four, Five, and Six.
Where is the BETTER MANAGEMENT/RENEGOTIATION OF THE OIL CONTRACTS you promised Jagdeo?
Apr 19, 2024
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