Upper Demerara flooding worsens Gunns Strip's supplies low By Samantha Alleyne Stabroek News June 15, 2000 The flood situation in the Upper Demerara River has worsened while other areas in Region 10 are being inundated, Deputy Regional Executive Officer (REO), Carl Parker, says. And the residents in Gunns Strip are still appealing for chainsaws, food and building material to facilitate the relocation of their village. Speaking to Stabroek News yesterday, Parker said that reports reaching the regional office indicated that the flood situation in Malali, Butuba, Muritaro, Old England and Coomacka had worsened because of the persistent rainfall. He also related that Gold Hill, located to the north of Linden in the Demerara River; Rockstone in the Essequibo River which is about 20 miles from the mining town; and Kara Kara in Linden are now experiencing flooding. The REO said that the reports had not been investigated as yet but he planned to do so soon. Meanwhile, Regional Information Officer of Region Nine, Terrence Boston, said on Tuesday that the residents of Gunns Strip were working overtime clearing bushes and felling trees at Anasakkanari, which is the relocation site for the community. According to Boston, reports reaching the Regional Office in Lethem stated that there was heavy rainfall for the past few nights, but the water in the community remained at the same level. He said that the reports also indicated that the workers at the site had appealed for chainsaws to clear the site quickly. Food supplies flown to the area were dwindling quickly, Boston said, adding that there had been requests for additional food. Meanwhile, according to Boston, there were a few cases of fever in the community, but the regional administration was monitoring the situation. He disclosed that in the North Savannahs water was said to be covering the low lying areas, with reports of isolated rainfall in the region. The Rupununi River in the south was also said to be up and there was water in the low lying areas. A check with Region Three Chairman, Parag Sukhai, revealed that the situation at Stanleytown, West Bank Demerara, was under control. Sukhai said some extra water had collected from the heavy rainfall, but the flooding caused by the eroded sea defence was under control due to works carried out by employees of the Sea Defence Unit. He added that earth was to be removed from an identified playfield in the area to facilitate the building of a permanent seawall. The place was still "soggy", but the water had gone down significantly, Sukhai said. Reports from Region Six stated that Numbers 51 and 52 villages were experiencing some flooding. Deputy Regional Executive Officer, Abdool Hamid, said yesterday that parts of the areas were flooded but evacuation of the outfall channel was being carried out to reduce the flooding. He said Rose Hall was also deluged. And as regards the left bank of the Upper Corentyne River, Hamid said that he had not been able to get an update on the situation there because there was no radio communication in the area. Follow the goings-on in Guyana in Guyana Today