| – several communities floodedNine inches of rainfall pounded Berbice from Friday evening right through yesterday and the bad news is that there is more rain on the way.The deluge,Alexis Sanchez Chile Jersey, compounded by an uncontrollable garbage situation,Derick Brassard Rangers Jersey, left several communities underwater.The Berbice High Court under water on SundayKaieteur News visited several communities across the Region yesterday and some of the scenes were shocking. Vryman’s Erven in New Amsterdam was under knee- deep water. Little Rock Television Station Channel 10 had to close transmission. That area is a proverbial basin and has always been prone to massive flooding. Several streets in New Amsterdam including St Anne, Trinity and King Streets were transformed into massive waterways. Cars and other vehicles entered Vryman’s Erven at their own risk,Vladimir Konstantinov Red Wings Jersey, and some areas were too flooded for drivers to traverse.And almost everywhere that there was flooding, floating plastic bottles and garbage were evident. Large clumps of garbage were seen throughout the affected areas.In New Area, Canefield,Olli Maatta Penguins Jersey, Canje, roads,Erick Pulgar Chile Jersey, walkways, yards and homes were all under several feet of water. A Guyana Sugar Corporation pump was put into operation to pump water into the Canje Creek.Residents in the flood- affected areas urged the Regional Administration to ensure the water is taken off their lands as soon as possible. Some residents stated that while the situation could not have been helped and that Mother Nature had her job to do,LaMichael James Oregon Jersey, the regional authorities must always be prepared for such occurrences. Canefield residents were furious since their homes and bottom houses were under water.Regional Chairman of Region Six, Mr. David Armogan, had his first challenge set out for him as he feverishly tried to visit communities while coordinating efforts to mobilize all the drainage pumps in the affected areas. He told Kaieteur News that the worst affected areas were Cumberland, Canefield, Tucber, Chesney, Whim, Fort Ordnance and Letter Kenny.Drainage & Irrigation workers removing thick grass and garbage from the Number 19, Corentyne trench“We had a hell of a lot of rainfall”, he said. Some nine inches of rain were recorded during the past 24 hours,Alex Pietrangelo Jersey, for a system that was only built to drain off “one and a half inches to two inches of water in 24 hours, so you could imagine what we are on at the moment…we’re talking about the next couple of days [of flooding]”, he stated.Armogan noted that there is a five- hour period that “we can drain the sluice…we’re pumping once the sluices are shut down”.He reminded residents of Region Six that more rain is forecast for the next 24 hours and cautioned persons to desist from dumping garbage in their surroundings. He added that several pumps are in operation at full capacity in the region including two in Canje, Number 19 Village, while pumps at Albion and Rose Hall estates are also in operation.Despite this several communities were still under water late yesterday afternoon. |
