Essequibo Coast residents, farmers battling severe flood

Last Updated on Saturday, 17 January 2015, 20:12 by GxMedia

Residents and farm lands at Anna Regina and other areas of the Essequibo Coast are under several inches of water due to unusually heavy rainfall coupled with a blocked drainage sluice, residents said.

President Donald Ramotar led a team of officials on a tour of drainage systems in that traditional stronghold of the governing People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC).  He has instructed the Chief Executive Officer of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to deploy mobile pumps to assist in draining the area.

Drainage outfalls and canals, authorities said, are to be dredged at the earliest opportunity. Heavy siltation in some areas has prevented the pumps from pushing the water into the sea and Essequibo River, according to a Caribbean News Desk correspondent at Anna Regina.

A resident told Caribbean News Desk that the flood water has inundated her dwelling in the town of Anna Regina. Senata Persaud complained that one foot of water entered her lower flat and badly damaged her household items.  Expressing concern that the President has not been meeting with the flood-affected residents, she said that her only help came from the Guyana Fire Service.  “All the trenches in Anna Regina  are blocked. I am poor woman and I am seeking help. No pump is working to get out the water,” she said.

Persaud said that the Guyana Fire Service assisted several persons to pump water out of their premises earlier Saturday but by late afternoon the water level was rising again.

The correspondent explained that rice lands, yards and houses and other properties from Capoey to Devonshire Castle are affected by the rain-related flood. Villages affected include, Affiance, Reliance, Henrietta, Richmond and Lima.