G/town not designed for this magnitude of rainfall - Authorities

G/town not designed for this magnitude of rainfall – Authorities

Jul 17, 2015 News

…Gov’t, M&CC and NDIA cooperating to restore city drainage system

By Shyon Hoppie

For years Georgetown has always been susceptible to flooding, since it is located on the coast of a country which is below sea level. However, over the past 24 hours the city has seen record-breaking rainfall which is much more than it was initially designed to take.
Authorities have indicated that the city was intended to take off two and a half inches (2.5″) of rain in 24 hours. Based on the extent of existing conditions, the city can only take off 1.5″ in that time frame. But this time around there has been 8.26″ of rainfall which was deemed unusual by the City’s Mayor, Hamilton Green.
Many streets in the city were submerged in the aftermath of the torrential downpours which affected livelihoods and businesses especially in the heart of the capital. Even though some establishments were opened, the water hampered with business because it accumulated in front of the premises, leaving no room for customers to gain access.
Minister of Business and Investment Dominic Gaskin and a team from his Ministry visited and interacted with business owners and staff in the affected areas on Regent Street to have a first-hand look at the situation.
During his interaction, Minister Gaskin explained that the Government is doing everything possible to bring relief to all those affected. The Minister’s visit was highly appreciated by the businessmen and women with whom he engaged.
Albouystown, East and West Ruimveldt, Kitty, North and South Ruimveldt were just a few of the places that were significantly affected by the flooding. Residents noted that they have tried continuously to have the relevant authorities intervene and do more work in the areas.
To this Mayor Green asserted, “We are now starting the restoration of cleaning the canals, illegal dumping and looking for blockages. We’re getting the cooperation of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and NDIA. This is just the tip of the iceberg. The task is great.”
“We’re dealing with 20 odd years of destruction of the city…we’re trying to repair 23 years of harm done. Our biggest challenge right now is to acquire the financial resources, the appropriate personnel and machinery, and to persuade citizens that they need to cooperate in this grand crusade.”
Meanwhile, residents of Festival City and North and South Georgetown interacted with Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix, who visited the communities to assess the situation. Generally, residents expressed satisfaction with the Government’s intervention.
Evidence of the water receding in most areas was also evident and this was credited to the major clean-up campaign that commenced shortly after President Granger was elected to office.
In a swift response to address flooding along sections of the coastland, a high-level governmental meeting was convened early yesterday morning.
As a result, the National Emergency Operations Centre was activated. Minister of State Joseph Harmon advised that this was done as a national response to the overnight flooding. This meeting was held at the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Thomas Lands, Georgetown.
Minister Harmon who was part of a high-level team that also included Ministers of Government, representatives of various critical state agencies, the Red Cross and several other organisations, explained that a detailed response is being put together by these stakeholders.
“It’s an unusual situation and therefore we have to think and act outside of the box. We cannot have a normal reaction, and that is why under my direction the national emergency operation centre was activated… this is what they were created to do and that is why we will utilise all of the resources, not just state resources but all of the others, stakeholders, civil society to deal with this situation,” Minister Harmon explained.
He said that a localized response, utilizing all the national assets including experts and persons with specific skills and knowledge, is being brought together so as to restore communities to normalcy in the shortest possible time.
The plan will concentrate on three essential areas, the disruption in national life, response to people who might be misplaced, and to those whose properties and other assets have been damaged.
Harmon advised, “we want to say to the nation that the Government is very aware of what is taking place, we are taking steps on behalf of the people to ensure that people’s lives are not disrupted in a prolonged way.”
An aerial inspection of the affected areas in regions two, three, four and five was done and has provided valuable information on steps that need to be taken to address the situation.
From what was reported, additional and more specific information is needed, particularly in the areas of Den Amstel, Leonora and Uitvlugt in Region 3 and in Region Four, the areas between Ogle and Buxton. These areas, along with Georgetown are the ones that are especially affected by the heavy rainfall. To facilitate this, teams have been placed on the ground to monitor and report on the situation.
Meanwhile according to Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, all sluices, pumps and drainage canals are in working order. He added that teams from his Ministry are at various locations to provide immediate emergency services if the need arises.
The Minister explained that the possibility of getting additional pumps from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority is being considered. The Government has committed to keeping the nation informed of its plans and initiatives to bring relief to the residents of the flood-hit communities.
Also affected by the weather was the Hero CPL T20 match scheduled on Wednesday last between the Guyana Amazon Warriors and the Jamaica Tallawahs. The fixture had to be abandoned.
In the meantime, with the long range weather forecast suggesting that there will be further intense rainfall, flooding is likely to abate within a 48-hour period.
NCN TV and 98.1 FM promise that they will provide regular updates on the flood situation and the public is asked to stay tuned and heed all official advisories and warnings.