SUBJECT: Flooding in several regions in Guyana

EVENTS:

The heavy rainfall that commenced on January 28, 2012, resulted in flooding in several communities in Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, particularly, those communities located on the Coastal Plain and along the Abary, Mahaica, Mahaicony Rivers, Pomeroon, Black Bush Polder and Canal Polders. Light to moderate showers are being experienced and water is receding in most of the areas. The release of water from the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) into the Mahaica River through the Maduni Sluice has been stopped.

PROGNOSIS:

It was forecasted by the Hydrometeorological Department of the Ministry of Agriculture that cloudy to overcast skies are expected over all regions with expected rainfall to be between 0.0mm and 8.10mm.

The forecast for the rest of the week is as follows, Saturday and Sunday; cloudy spells with occasional showers can be expected over Regions 2 to 6 and 10, and other regions can expect mainly cloudy spells.

IMPACT

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