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Widespread floods prompt Cabinet fanout amidst claims of dysfunctional pump stations
Boats traverse a flooded community in Region Five (DPI)
(Kaieteur News) – Persistent and heavy rainfall on Saturday, which caused floods across Region Four and other communities, prompted President Ali and his Cabinet to meet Regional Executive Officers and Regional Chairpersons to coordinate a national response to widespread flooding.
Speaking during an assessment in Region Three on Saturday morning, President Ali said the government is closely monitoring the situation and has activated a coordinated national response involving regional administrations, drainage and irrigation authorities, and emergency agencies.
Picture taken from Air Services Guyana’s Ogle Hangar showing the impact of heavy rainfall. (Air Services Limited)
A flooded yard in Georgetown. (PNCR)
The volume of rainfall recorded in recent days has been significantly above normal levels, resulting in overtopping of drains, water accumulation in low-lying areas, and flooding in several communities. “We are seeing very high and unusual rainfall patterns across the country, and as a government, we are on the ground ensuring that every agency is working together to bring relief and support to residents,” President Ali said.
President Ali explained that teams have been dispatched to assess damage, identify urgent interventions, and ensure that drainage systems are functioning effectively. He said additional pumps and resources were being mobilised where necessary to accelerate the removal of floodwaters.
President Irfaan Ali led an emergency Cabinet meeting, with Regional Executive Officers (REOs) and Regional Chairpersons about the impact of unprecedented flooding. (OP)
Cabinet ministers were also assigned to various regions to engage residents directly, monitor conditions and coordinate relief efforts with local authorities. Ali assured citizens that the government would continue to provide support to affected families and communities, while maintaining close surveillance of weather conditions and water levels. He emphasised that public infrastructure agencies were working around the clock to clear drainage channels, operate pumps and address critical areas experiencing flooding. Ali urged residents to remain vigilant, heed advisories issued by relevant authorities and report areas requiring immediate attention. “We will continue to be present in the communities, assess the situation firsthand, and ensure that all necessary resources are deployed to safeguard lives and livelihoods,” he stated.
While the government deployed its teams, the Leader of the Opposition, Azruddin Mohamed heavily criticised the state of the drainage infrastructure, highlighting that communities like Better Hope are under water because local pump stations are simply not working. The Opposition Leader pointed out that only two out of five pumps are currently operational at Montrose, causing major flooding on the East Coast, while the Plaisance pump station was completely down, exacerbating the situation in both Better Hope and Plaisance.
A resident along the Mahaicony River showing Minister of Education, Sonia Parag the effects of the flood on his home.
Kaieteur News was reliably informed that the Plaisance pump was subsequently functional. Furthermore, the Opposition Leader noted that the Le Ressouvenir and Success pump station has been down for three months, a timeline backed up by residents of Success who complained to visiting teams that their pump has indeed been broken for three years, leading to severe localised flooding.
The response efforts continued across the coastland with several ministerial teams on the ground. Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation, Zulfikar Ally, visited Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara, to engage residents, observe drainage conditions, and receive updates on ongoing efforts to facilitate the outflow of water.
Simultaneously, Ministers Bishop Juan Edghill, Oneidge Walrond, Charles Ramson, Keoma Griffith, and Steven Jacobs were joined by local community leaders and councillors to conduct flood assessments across Georgetown.
In Region Five, Minister of Education, Sonia Parag and Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony joined Regional Chairman Recardo Phillips, Vice Chairman Kleon Lindey, Regional Executive Officer Mary Samaroo, and other regional officials to monitor conditions and oversee ongoing mitigation efforts. Meanwhile, teams in Region Six actively engaged with residents of Fyrish to assess the impact of the heavy rainfall over the last 24 hours.
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Blunt of the day
Sports
Features/Columnists
Sir. Ronald Sanders
The GHK Lall Column
Weekend Cartoon
President Ali must now move one big step forward.
He provided house lots.
Mortgage to build house, add a car or two in driveway, or bottom house.
NOW, HE NEEDS TO PROVIDE FLAT BOTTOM BOATS/PADDLES TO THOSE
ALREADY WITH HOUSE AND CAR. THOSE WHO TRAVEL
LONG DISTANCES, MUST PURCHASE THEIR OUTBOARD ENGINE.
FUTURE HOME OWNERS MUST BE PROVIDED WITH SAME TYPE BOATS.
AN ORDER FOR 1,OOO,OOO (MILLION) ALUMINIUM BOATS MIGHT BE
CHEAPER THAN BUYING THEM PIECEMEAL.