GUYANA FLOODING: Conservancy Dams near danger level

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 GEORGETOWN 000053

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV EAID PGOV EAGR ECON ASEC CASC GY
SUBJECT: GUYANA FLOODING: Conservancy Dams near danger level

REF: GEORGETOWN 0045


1. SUMMARY. The Cabinet decided early Monday to open the
Maduni sluices, which will greatly exacerbate flooding in
agricultural areas on the Mahaica and Mahaicony Rivers, in
order to relieve pressure on the East Demerara Water
Conservancy (EDWC) which is reaching dangerous levels.
While this is a proactive measure, GOG officials lack data
to make informed decisions as to future flood prevention
measures. Reports from Essiquibo indicate that the Tapakuma
Conservancy dam has been overtopping. END SUMMARY.


2. The GoG announced Monday, January 16 that the Drainage
and Irrigation Authority opened the Maduni sluices to lower
the threatening water levels in the EDWC. The GOG advised
residents of the agricultural areas on the Mahaica Mahaicony
River, a region suffering from major flooding for the past
month (reftel),to take precautions in the face of an
anticipated rise in water levels. The region lies in the
path of water released from the EDWC, and reluctance to
flood the region contributed to the GOG's delayed response
to high water levels in the EDWC during the January 2005
floods.


3. In a meeting to update the donor community on the
situation, the Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr.
Roger Luncheon, explained that rainfall to date has exceeded
expectations and is anticipated to either continue or worsen
in coming days. Dr. Luncheon also advised that all but a
few government meetings will be canceled in the next three
days as cabinet ministers fan out to the affected regions.
Luncheon stressed that Georgetown and the East Coast
Demerara have so far been unaffected due to interventions
made as a result of last year's flooding.


4. In assessing the near-term outlook, Luncheon stated that
officials will monitor the situation over the next 72 hours
to determine of the rate of outflow at Maduni should
increase or if an additional outlet at the Lama River will
need to be opened. However, Head of the Civil Defence
Commission, Colonel Chabilall Ramsarup, acknowledged after
the meeting that the GOG has no rainfall gauges in the
conservancy or on the conservancy watersheds, so assessing
how much water is draining relative to how much has fallen
is impossible.


5. Meanwhile, at a January 17 meeting of the Guyana
Citizens' Initiative for Flood Relief, Major General (ret.)
Joe Singh reported that the water level in the EDWC at 0800
Tuesday was 58.65 (an increase of one inch overnight),
despite the opening of the Maduni sluice. Singh expected the
Lama sluice to be opened imminently, as the water level on
both sides of the Maduni sluice was about even, limiting its
drainage potential. However, the engineer at the EDWC
reported to the Consul that the water level the morning of
January 17 was 58.4, down from 58.5 the day before. The
engineer also reported that the Lama sluice was not open.
Such conflicting reports reflect the difficulty of obtaining
accurate data on the status of the EDWC.


6. While he was unable to provide a specific figure,
Luncheon told donors that flooding has affected about 2000
households, including 500 families on the Mahaica River, 700
families on the Mahaicony River, and 40 on the Abrary River.
Unlike the January 2005 floods which most affected the
heavily populated coastline, much of this year's flooding
has affected sparely populated agricultural lands (the
"backlands") a few miles inland from the coast. Many
vulnerable persons have already relocated to the still dry
"frontlands" of their own volition. The response to date
has been through GOG and local government channels, although
some NGO's have offered assistance. Luncheon and President
Jagdeo have both said that GOG is not asking for
international assistance, though it will accept if offered.
The GoG also has not declared a disaster. Post will assess
prospects for assistance should the GOG request it.


7. In addition to the briefing for the donor community,
Luncheon said that President Jagdeo has already briefed
Trade Unions, the Private Sector Commission, and the Leader
of the Opposition on the flooding, while the Minister of
Agriculture briefed a special session of Parliament on
Thursday, January 12.


8. Peace Corps exercised its communication system on Monday.
All volunteers reported their sites to be dry, except one
stationed at Capoey village who on the advice of local
residents had relocated to Anna Regina on the Essequibo
Coast after the nearby Tapakuma Conservancy began
overtopping.


9. Embassy facilities have NOT/NOT been affected by the
current round of flooding. GSO has sandbags available to
place at Embassy houses should the need arise. As for health
concerns, the current danger is from water-borne diseases,
rather than high water levels. The GOG has been effectively
using media channels to brief the public on the health
dangers of floodwaters.


10. Post's Emergency Action Committee will continue to
monitor the situation (septel).


11. Comment: There are two major differences with the
January 2005 floods: (1) the interventions after the 2005
floods to restore the drainage and irrigation
infrastructure, although leaving much to be desired, have
worked so far. Georgetown and the populated East Coast have
not so far experienced and serious or sustained flooding,
although many buildings built on ground in violation of
building codes have experienced intermittent water
intrusion. (2) This year the GoG is being much more pro-
active sharing information and consulting concerned
constituencies, including the donor community and the
political opposition. This in turn provides an environment
in which people are able to make better-informed decisions
and a political environment in which the government and
opposition can concentrate on managing the situation rather
than harping at each other.

BULLEN