Extreme rainfall is expected to hit Guyana today (Thursday) and can result in massive flash floods across the country, the Agriculture Ministry has warned in a release on Wednesday.
The ministry, in collaboration with the hydrometeorological service, has indicated that there is a 70 per cent chance that this can happen. The high intensity weather pattern, which is presently over the Atlantic, continues to develop, and as a result, Guyana will experience rainfall of 45 to 80mm over a 24-hour period, the ministry predicted.
Regions Three to Five and northern Region Six are among regions to be severely affected. Low-lying and riverine communities are asked to take precautions against possible flooding.
Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy said based on information received from the Guyana Hydrometerological Service, the country is at risk of “severe weather conditions”, explaining that a storm is heading in Guyana’s direction. But he was keen on noting that it is possible that the storm will change direction.
It was anticipated that the heavy rains would start Wednesday night and continue today (Thursday).
“The cloud system that is moving towards Guyana has enough moisture to produce along the coast and also in some interior areas like Region Nine, high intensity rainfall that could exceed 80mm rainfall,” Dr Ramsammy said during an exclusive interview with Guyana Times International on Wednesday.
He said the ministry, in collaboration with the hydromet office, was monitoring the situation minute-by-minute.
On Tuesday, President Donald Ramotar and his Cabinet were informed of the high intensity rainfall and the likely impacts. Though there was a sense of uncertainty, the Agriculture Ministry on Wednesday issued media advisories to all regional democratic councils and the Local Government Ministry. That ministry was instructed to notify all neighbourhood democratic councils.
These public entities were also advised to take the necessary steps to minimise flooding in the various communities. Dr Ramsammy said Georgetown and other parts of country do not have the capacity to take off the 80mm of intense rainfall.
It was explained that at the time of independence in 1966, Guyana had a capacity to deal with one and half inches of rain over a 24-hour period. “That means a combination of the canals, sluices, pumps, could cater for that 35-40mm of rain spread over 24 hours.” Now with a slight improvement, Georgetown has a capacity to deal with two inches of rainfall or 50mm of rain over a 24-hour period.
The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has put systems in place to deal with the intense rains if they occur, but the Georgetown Mayor and City Council continues to experience difficulties.
