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Guyana buckles down for months of dry weather

Oct 07, 2015 News

  • Govt. team treks to Region Nine as Takutu River drops

 

A high-level Government team is expected to visit Region Nine today to assess the extent of damage caused by dry weather in that area.

Reports by residents yesterday indicate that the level of the Takutu River, which borders Guyana and Brazil and runs right next to Lethem, has dropped considerably.

According to the Ministry of State, based on reports from the Regional Executive Officer (REO), the Region Nine Emergency Response Centre was activated with workers ready to deploy supplies to affected persons and families

According to the Ministry yesterday, a team from the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), including Director-General, Colonel Chabilall Ramsarup, and his Deputy, Major Kester Craig, will accompany Minister of State, Joseph Harmon.

Harmon holds responsibility for disaster preparedness management.

“The intention of Wednesday’s visit is to do an assessment of communities in the region affected by the prolonged dry weather. This assessment comes based on reports and information received by the CDC from the Regional Executive Officer (REO) of that region,” the Ministry said yesterday.

The region has thus far activated the Region 9 Emergency Response Centre, and is prepared to deploy supplies including water tanks, water pumps and water purification tablets.

According to Craig, those items were positioned in the region and some sub districts since April of this year.

During today’s visit it is expected that a location will be identified to construct a warehouse where supplies can be stored making them easily accessible in the event of future similar emergencies.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture in a statement is predicting that the current dry weather is likely to last until February.

“According to the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) diagnostic discussion issued by the Climate Prediction Center (NCEP) and the International Research Institute for Climate and Society on September 28, 2015, there is a 95% chance that the Northern Hemisphere will experience El Niño conditions that will continue for the remainder of the year, and a 55% chance it will last into the second quarter of 2016; that is, El Niño is expected to gradually weaken during April to June, 2016. Given the current trend, the ENSO Alert System Status is now ‘El Niño Advisory’.”

According to the Ministry, in Guyana´s context, and with the current dry season and upcoming rainy season, the latest data from the Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum (CARICOF), the Climate Predicting Tool (CPT) has shown, for the remainder of 2015, a great percentage probability of below normal precipitation (rainfall).

“As a result of the expected conditions, the Hydrometeorological Service is advising that the appropriate water management practices be employed in the various sectors and households, to mitigate against the forecasted deficit in rainfall quantities and increase in atmospheric temperatures in the coming months.”

Warning that it does not mean there is no rain, the Ministry said that farmers and others can expect a reduction in the quantity of water.

“Further, under these conditions, it is also still highly probable to experience periods of high intensity short duration rainfall, which are difficult to predict and may result in flash flooding in high risk areas.”

The situation would be worrisome for especially farmers involved in the rice and cash crop business.

They depend heavily on the hundreds of canals across the country for irrigation.

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