Guyana Flood Update: Conservancy Water Rising

UNCLAS GEORGETOWN 000070 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AEMR CASC EAID PGOV ASEC SENV EAGR GY SUBJECT: Guyana Flood Update: Conservancy Water Rising REF: (A)GEORGETOWN 59, (B)GEORGETOWN 58, (C)GEORGETOWN 53, (D)GEORGETOWN 45, (E)GEORGETOWN 41 ¶1. Peace Corps volunteers reported this afternoon that farmers unhappy with flooding in the Mahaica, Mahaicony and Abrary Creek area are protesting and have blocked the East Coast road at Belledrum, approximately 60 km east of Georgetown. Peace Corps moved one Mahaicony area volunteer to Georgetown and three Hopetown, West Berbice volunteers to New Amsterdam. ¶2. EDWC Repair and Maintenance Supervisor reported water levels as 58.5 and then 58.6 this afternoon. This is two inches higher than yesterday, even though the Maduini sluice has been open since Monday. ¶3. The Government Information Agency issued the following advisory this afternoon: "Due to continuous and intense rainfall in the backlands, the level of the East Demerara Water Conservancy is rising and the Drainage and Irrigation Authority will consider opening the Lama Sluice to drain the water so as to prevent a breach of the Conservancy Dam. Residents of the Mahaica, Mahaicony and Abrary Creek areas are once again advised to take necessary precautions." Opening the Lama Sluice and Maduini Sluice when the Conservancy reaches 58.5 was recommended in draft tripwires in a Geotechnical and hydraulic assessment of flooding danger. The Maduini Sluice was opened on Monday, severely increasing flooding in agricultural areas of the Mahaica, Mahaicony and Abrary Creek project. Opening the Lama sluice will flood the residential areas of Mahaica and Mahaicony. Consular Section is distributing the GoG text as a warden message to AmCits in the affected area (ref Ingram- CA/OCS/Branson telcon). All four Peace Corps volunteers were moved out of the affected area earlier today. (See above). ¶4. Post also requests CA authorization to send the draft warden message communicated yesterday in Georgetown 58 to all AmCits in Guyana. ¶5. Peace Corps is putting volunteers on "standfast" to ensure ease of communications should the flood situation worsen. ¶6. Local and SOUTHCOM weather reports call for only moderate rainfall over the next few days (0.05 to 0.20 inches daily). ¶6. EAC continues to monitor the situation. BULLEN