Floodwater recedes in Region Six

Apr 06, 2009 News

NEW AMSTERDAM, BERBICE – By yesterday Sunday only some sections of Region Six were affected by excess water.

A section of Whim Village under flood water on Friday.

Region Six Chairman Zulfikar Mustapha indicated that most of the water has already receded.

Late Thursday afternoon, heavy showers have been had in East Berbice /Corentyne. Within a 12-hour period, three inches of rainfall was recorded. During the course of Friday, an additional two inches was documented.

Mr. Mustapha said that as a result of this, some low-lying areas were inundated. The most affected areas include the backlands of Belvedere, a section of the Canefield New Area and the Adelphi New Area.

He claimed that irrigators were dispatched to those locations on Friday and some amount of water receded within eight hours.

High water level was also documented at Whim, communities between Lancaster and Alness, sections of the Number Nineteen, sections of New Amsterdam especially Vryman’s Erven. Hydro-flow pumps are stationed in the Whim, Lancaster/Alness, and Number Nineteen and were put into operation the said Friday.

No reports of flooding have been made for locations along the East Bank of Berbice, he said.

Mr. Mustapha indicated that as a result of the heavy rainfall, he met with representatives of the Rice Producers’ Association, Water Users’ Association, owners of rice harvesters and farmers on Saturday at the office of the Water Users’ Association to discuss the present condition of the dams leading to the cultivation areas.

According to him, at that forum, the status of each dam was highlighted and a consensus was arrived at. He said some farmers at the meeting indicated that they were willing to protect the dams. Mr. Mustapha claimed that owners of combines agreed to wait a five-day period before undertaking any harvest in the fields.

A review is slated for this Friday when all stakeholders are to meet to map out the way forward.