Flooding in Region 5…MMA/ADA, NDIA team up to provide pumps, excavators, tech. support

Jun 12, 2016 News

Following on the heels of floods in Region Five which placed residents and farmers in jeopardy, the Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary/Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) is rolling out its arsenal to defend against the encroaching waters.
It is understood that the Ministry of Agriculture’s National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) along with the MMA/ADA has deployed pumps to Trafalgar Sluice and Bush Lot Village, while one was expected to be moved from Canje River to Trafalgar Square.
In addition, the agencies have affirmed that four excavators have been moved to the flooded area; two at Trafalgar north, one at Trafalgar south and one at Golden Grove north.
Two tractor pumps are also draining flood waters in the residential areas of Golden Grove north and Trafalgar north; and two additional tractor pumps have been deployed to drain the residential area of Trafalgar south.
“In response to the above-mentioned efforts,” the agencies said in a statement yesterday, “the flood waters have receded by two to three inches in residential areas of Golden Grove north and Trafalgar north and south at 17:30 hours on June 10, 2016.”
“It is important to note (that) the MMA-ADA/NDIA have been working in conjunction with the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Region Five and the relevant Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC). The outfall channel at Trafalgar Sluice was dredged by the NDIA in early May, 2016 but was silted up after a few days of sunshine, as a result of reduced flows.”
They also noted that one of two vandalised pumps at Trafalgar is scheduled for rehabilitation by NDIA before the next rainy season that the two vandalised pumps at Trafalgar have a combined capacity of 350 cusecs (over 130,000 gallons per minute); these pumps, when operated, kept the outfall channel clear.
Diagnosis
Noting that the areas currently flooded in Region Five are Lovely Lass, Golden Grove, Trafalgar and No. 29 Villages, the MMA/ADA/NDIA listed the recent excessive rainfall; the inoperable pumps at Trafalgar, which they noted were vandalised two years ago.
They also noted that the siltation of the sluice outfall channel at Trafalgar; and the presence of excess vegetation in the village channels played a contributory role in the flooding.
It was projected, however, that over the next three days water will continue to recede and bring an end to the flood by tomorrow. This projection, however, is dependent on there being no significant rainfall on today.
The El Nino phenomenon has come to an end and Guyana is in the season of frequent rainfall, with showers in some instances lasting for prolonged periods. This has increased the risks of flooding in vulnerable areas across the country.
A few days ago, a resident and farmer within the rural community of No. 28 Village, West Coast Berbice had expressed dismay at the efforts of the MMA-ADA to remedy the situation.
The concerned farmer had complained that persons are losing their livestock and water levels have intruded into residents’ bottom houses. He had blamed the disastrous situation on the dysfunctional sluice located at No. 27 Village, WCB.
It was reported that the problem has been ongoing for more than six weeks. The concerned farmer reported that the sluice that should be doing the work has been blocked for the past two years.

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