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Flooding demands facts, not political theatre
Dear Editor,
The recent flooding across Guyana is serious. Families in Regions Four, Five, Six and other areas deserve relief, not political point-scoring.
APNU’s claim that the flooding is simply the result of PPP/C’s neglect does not withstand scrutiny. Guyana has always faced a difficult drainage challenge, a low-lying coastal plain, intense rainfall, aging canals, kokers, pumps and sea defence systems. This problem did not begin in 2020.
During APNU+AFC’s tenure, flooding remained a recurring national complaint. Stabroek News reported flooding in the city and East Coast in July 2019, with residents’ yards and roadways under water. In December 2019, another Stabroek News letter described flooding in Regions Two and Three and alleged “gross negligence” by the regional administration. In 2018, parts of South Georgetown, including Ruimveldt and Riverview, were reportedly flooded for weeks because of poor drainage. These reports show that APNU had no magic solution when it held office.
What is different now is the scale of response. Guyana Chronicle reported that President Ali chaired an emergency Cabinet meeting and deployed ministers across affected regions to assess communities and coordinate relief. DPI also reported that ministers were sent into the regions to engage residents and organise immediate support. Guyana Times reported that 51 pumps were deployed to help floodwaters recede. That is not neglect; that is visible government action.
WIN, for its part, has no governing record on drainage, irrigation, or disaster management. It is easy to criticise from Facebook. It is harder to manage pumps, canals, kokers, rainfall, regional councils, agriculture, sea defence and emergency relief at the same time.
The wider context also matters. This is not a Guyana-only event. The region is experiencing intense rainfall and flood risks. Trinidad and Tobago’s 2026 wet-season outlook warns that even a normal-to-below-normal season can still produce damaging rainfall and moderate flood potential. ReliefWeb and Reuters reported serious flooding and displacement in Brazil during May 2026. Caribbean climate-health guidance also warned that increased rainfall and stagnant water from flooding would affect Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana from late April or May onward.
None of this means government should escape criticism. Drainage must improve. Maintenance must be constant. Communities must receive timely assistance. But honest criticism must also admit history and context.
APNU had its chance and flooding continued. WIN has slogans but no record. The present government is being tested by weather, infrastructure, and geography, and the proper measure is not who posts the loudest, but who shows up, mobilises resources, and reaches the people.
Sincerely,
Dr. Tilokie Depoo
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