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 # 5 as of 18:00 hours, Saturday May 20, 2017

SUBJECT: Flooding in Regions 7 & 8

EVENT:

Flooding in villages in Regions 7 (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) and 8 (Potaro/Siparuni) as a result of heavy rainfall.

PROGNOSIS:

Flood waters have started to recede in most of the flood affected communities in Region 8, however the water levels remains relatively constant in Region 7.

The Guyana Hydrometeorological Service (HYDROMET) has forecasted that showers can be expected during the afternoon hours in the North Pakaraimas. As a result, both Regions 7 and 8 may experience some rainfall, including the communities currently affected by flooding.

AREAS AFFECTED

Region 7

Information received from the Regional Democratic Council1 (RDC) has indicated that the communities of , Philippai Amokokopi, Jawalla, Quebenang, Waramadong, Kako, and in Region 7 are experiencing flooding, with the areas of the communities located closer to rivers being most affected. At least one hundred (100) residents from the Region have been affected, however specific details on the number and extent of impacts to households is still being collected by the RDC.

A team comprising of representatives from the RDC and the CDC will be deployed to the affected communities tomorrow (May 21, 2017).

Kamarang

Information received from the RDC Region 8 indicates that there is an increase in height of the normal river height by approximately 9 feet at the main landing at Kamarang.

1 Ms. Olinda Griffith – Regional Vice Chairman, Region #7

One people. Prepared. Protected.

Imbaimadai, Philippai Amokokopi, Jawalla, Quebenang, Waramadong, Kako and Paruima

No new information has been received on the height of the flood in these communities.

Region 8

The water levels in the communities of Kaibrupai, Waipa, Sand Hill Settlement, Chenapau, Kopinang, Itabac, and Kanopang have receded significantly. The CDC has received reports from the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) that Chiung Mouth is also experiencing flooding in the farmlands; this has brought the total number of villages affected to eight (8).

Ser. Community Total Pop. No. of Total Total Homes Affected Farms H/Hs Pop. Affected Affected Affected # # Washed Damaged Away

1 Kaibarupai 407 74 472 - 26 56

2 Waipa 258 56 329 24 - 7 (Waipa, Kenepai, Kopinang) 3 Sand Hill 56 329 10 - 7 Settlement 4 Chenapau 415 113 616 15 1 39 5 Kopinang 258 144 770 1 - 90 (Waipa, Kenepai, Kopinang) 6 Itabac 196 47 282 7 6 9 7 Kanopang 635 31 476 1 10 31 8 Chiung 127 - - Number Mouth unknown H/Hs: Households

Kaibarupai

Due to intensive damage to homes, residents have started moving uphill where they are erecting units to temporarily shelter families. Information received from the Amerindian People’s Association indicates that elderly persons and children are especially affected in the community.

Cassava crops have started to wilt; additionally, the river bank and base of the mountain have started to erode.

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Chiung Mouth

Flood waters have covered several farms in the Chiung Mouth community.

Itabac

Water levels in this village are receding slowly. The antennae from the radio at the Health Centre has been damaged; communication to the village is limited to through the Village Council’s radio.

Waipa

The water has receded approximately 15 – 20 feet in this village; however the Ireng River still remains relatively high.

Kopinang

Water has started to recede in this community, however farmlands still remain inundated.

Sand Hill Settlement and Kanopang

The flood waters have started to recede in these communities.

Chenapau

The water has completely receded from the land in Chenapau.

PUBLIC BUILDING UPDATES

The school at Itabac has shifted as a result of the flood, the RDC (Region 8) has named it a high risk structure at present.

INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATES

The mid-point of the road from Itabac to Kanopang has been damaged and is impassable to vehicles.

ACTIONS BY THE CIVIL DEFENCE COMMISSION:

Actions taken by the CDC can be summarized as follows:  Dispatched a team from the Logistics Centre at , headed by the Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, to Waipa to distribute relief supplies to flood affected residents.  Preparing additional hampers for distribution to flood affected communities  Dispatched a number of medical supplies, relief hampers, medical supplies to Orinduik for shuttling to the flood affected communities in Region 8. Additional relief hampers will be dispatched on a second flight, which will take place after

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the aircraft (Guyana Defence Force’s skyvan) returns to following the first flight.  Distributed relief supplies and medical supplies to flood affected residents, and also conducted ground assessments of the level of impact within the community to ascertain further needs.  Continues to receive donations of relief supplies from individuals and organisations, and is coordinating the transport of these to affected communities.  Continues to monitor the situations in Regions 7 and 8.

ACTION BY OTHER ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS:

Banks DIH Limited

Banks DIH Limited has donated 100 cases of distilled water, and 100 boxes of Frisco crackers for distribution to Region 8 residents.

Dunae Trading Company (owned by Ms. Melissa Younge)

Dunae Trading Company has donated several units of various cleaning items inclusive of hand sanitizer, dishwashing liquid, multi-purpose disinfectant and antibiotic soap.

Amerindians Peoples Association (APA)

The APA has donated several items including clothing, manna pack, Fabuloso, crackers, coffee and tarpaulin (8). The APA must also be recognised for their efforts in coordinating the collection of relief supplies, and the provision of valuable information from the affected communities.

Ms. Thamesha Watson and Mr. Dwayne Brhamdeow

Ms. Thamesha Watson, Miss World Guyana Semi-Finalist, and Mr. Dwayne Brhamdeow, Operations Advisor of the Prevention of Teenage Suicide (POTS) Guyana donated several items to be distributed to flood affected residents including bleach, sausages, margarine, chowmein, cornmeal, potatoes, and other foodstuff.

Mr. Kamal Singh

Mr. Kamal Singh of GEICO Construction donated several relief items including bath soap, sugar and flour.

NEEDS

Additional needs which have been identified are as follows:  Water  Fuel (for generator at Logistics Centre at Orinduik)  Rechargeable lamps  Insect repellant

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(Before)

(After)

Images showing receding of flood waters at Chenapou (images from Mr. Gavin Gounga, Deputy Regional Executive Officer, Region 8)

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Images of CDC personnel receiving donations from organisations and individuals

NATIONAL EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTRE (NEOC)

Contact Information

Address: Civil Defence Commission, Thomas Road, Thomas Lands, Georgetown.

Telephone #: (592) 226-1114, 226-8815, 226-1027 or 225-5847

24 Hours NEMS #: (592) 623-1700/600-7500

FAX: (592) 225-0486

Email: [email protected]/[email protected]/[email protected]

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