Rain submerges city streets
--- season stays until Jan. 31
By Shirwin Campbell
Guyana Chronicle
January 1, 2004
SEVERAL streets in and around the city were under water yesterday following an increase in rainfall.
Businesses in Georgetown's shopping zone were severely affected by the flood, which forced them to erect temporary walkways to accommodate customers.
Some residents were seen wading through flooded yards and streets with shoes in hand, after the rain.
While drizzles continued throughout the day, at times the rain came down in torrents forcing pedestrians to seek shelter while others took to the streets selling umbrellas which are in demand.
According to reports received flooding is being experienced at other locations around the country.
An official from the Hydro Meteorological Department explained that the rainy season is likely to remain here until January month-end.
Georgetown recorded 19.1 milliliters for the period 14:00 hrs. Tuesday to 8:00 hrs. Wednesday. For that same period Timehri recorded 26.1; Mabaruma 72.5; New Amsterdam 38.9 and Lethem recorded nil.
The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has expressed concerned about the indiscriminate littering which it says is responsible for the clogged drains and the flooding.
Following the Christmas shopping frenzy piles of garbage discarded in the city streets washed into the drains and blocked up the system making it impossible for the water to exit.
The problem was compounded by increased rainfall.