Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06GEORGETOWN70
2006-01-19 22:44:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Georgetown
Cable title:  

Guyana Flood Update: Conservancy Water Rising

Tags:  AEMR CASC EAID PGOV ASEC SENV EAGR GY 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
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

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