CIVIL DEFENCE COMMISSION  Thomas Road, Thomas Lands, Georgetown, . Phone: (592)226-1114, 226-8815, 225-5847, 226-1027; Fax: 592-225-0486 Website: http://www.cdc.gy; E-mail: [email protected]

SITUATION REPORT # 4 as of 1000 hours, May 10, 2012

SUBJECT: Flooding in several .

1. EVENT As a result of heavy and continuous rainfall over the last 72 hours, several areas in all ten (10) Regions of Guyana were reported to be flooded. The water levels at the four (4) locations in the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) have been recorded as follows:

Location May 08, 2012 May 09, 2012 May 10, 2012 Rainfall Water Level Rainfall Water Level Rainfall Water Level Lama 56:75 6.1mm 56.70 13.9mm 56.70 Flag Staff 26.3mm 57.15 4.6mm 57.10 57.10 Land of Canaan 10.8mm 57.10 1.1mm 57.10 55.65 Creek 54.60 54.70 54.80

2. PROGNOSIS: The Hydrometrological Services predicted cloudy to overcast skies with occasional showers and intermittent rain over all regions across Guyana. Occasional outburst of thunder can be expected on the coast and inland areas of region 2 to 6 and 10. Rainfall is expected to be between 0.5mm and 40.0mm today, May 10, 2012.

3. IMPACT: Total loss and the total number of persons affected to date are yet to be determined.

4. AREAS AFFECTED a. Region 1 - BARIMA-WAINI: Nothing further to report.

b. Region 2 - POMEROON-SUPENAAM: Nothing further to report.

c. Region 3 - ESSEQUIBO ISLANDS-WEST DEMERARA (1) The water level in the Boarasirie conservancy remains critical at 61.50 GD. Additionally, it was reported that the communities of Uniform, Cane Field, Clairmont in Leguan were inundated with approximately 12 inches of water and Wallers’ Delight on the West Coast and on the West Bank Demerara with about 2 inches. (2) However, no further information was available with regards the breaches at Stanleytown and Leguan.

d. Region 4 - DEMERARA-MAHAICA: Nothing further to report.

One people. Prepared. Protected.

e. Region 5 - MAHAICA-BERBICE: Nothing further to report. f. Region 6 - EAST BERBICE-CORENTYNE (1) The flood water continues to recede in the affected areas. Details on the severity of the flooding in this region are remains unavailable. (2) The RDC reported that the pump at the Ordnance-Fortlands NDC is unserviceable. It was also reported that the sluice at Liverpool remains silted however, an excavator was deployed and work has commenced to clear the Liverpool outfall. Kilmarnock sluice is still to be repaired. (3) There were reports of damages to livestock, rice crops and cash crop in the Black Bush Polder NDC. g. Region 7 - CUYUNI- MAZARUNI: Nothing further to report. h. Region 8 - POTARO-SIPARUNI: Regional Executive Officer reported flooding in Chenapowu where seven (7) houses remains inundated in this region. Itabac, Kopinang and Monkey Mountain are reported to have high water. No report on the intensity is available. i. Region 9 - UPPER TAKUTU-UPPER ESSEQUIBO (1) The Regional Executive Officer reported that a Meeting was held on May 10, where a Regional Disaster Preparedness Committee was established to monitor the flood situation. Members of the committee were divided further into smaller committees viz Logistics, Communication, Shelter Management and Administration. 1 (2) It was reported that the water is rising at 1 /4 inches per hour in the Lethem area. It is envisage at this rate one of the GWI station will be shut down within the next 12 hours of the reporting time. Six (6) families were evacuated from Tabatinga and Culvert City. Sand Creek water is receded at approximately 1 inch per hour. (3) At Aranaputa in Annai three (3) houses are inundated, the families were evacuated to higher grounds. Further, it was reported that in Central 1 Lethem the water level is rising /2 inch per hour and is a threat to the GT&T building. GT&T presently working on buffers around it site. Cell phone services have not been affected. (4) GWI Station #2 is dependent on Lethem Power Company for power. A standby generator is to be sourced and move to site in the event of a Lethem Power Company shut down. (5) The approaches at Lethem/St Ignatius Bridge are inundated, and vehicles approaching from South Rupununi cannot traverse the Burro Bridge and approaches to the Kumu Bridge. The four (4) bridges and the access roads to remain flooded and impassable to vehicles. Additionally, the Sari Sari Bridge at Toka and Junction remain a threat to heavy vehicles. (5) The water level in the Takutu and Ireng Rivers continues to rise.

J. Region 10- UPPER DEMERARA-BERBICE: Nothing further to report.

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5. PUBLIC BUILDINGS UPDATE: No reports are available.

6. ACTIONS BY THE CIVIL DEFENCE COMMISSION : The Commission continues to monitor and assess the vulnerable communities and conservancies which are usually affected by the heavy rains.

7. ACTION BY OTHER ORGANISATIONS a. Ministry of Health: Assessments of all the affected areas are being conducted.

b. Ministry of Agriculture: Assessments of all the affected areas are being conducted and representatives from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority continue to monitor the pumps, sluices and conservancies in all the affected regions.

c. Guysuco: Nothing to report.

8. NEEDS: The Commission has identified the following immediate needs: a. Damage Assessments to be conducted to identify and quantify the extent of the flooding in the regions. b. Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping of all the affected communities to determine the water level and to assist in decision making.

9. NATIONAL EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTRE (NEOC)

Contact Information: a. Address: Civil Defence Commission, Thomas Road, Thomas Lands, Georgetown.

b. Telephone No: (592) 226-1114, 226-8815, 226-1027 or 225-5847

24 Hours No: (592) 600-3000

c. FAX: (592) 225-0486

d. Email: [email protected], [email protected]

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