-after torrential rain in 24-hour period

-by Samuel Sukhnandan

Government officials have been deployed across several parts of the country following intense overnight rainfall that triggered widespread flooding in multiple communities. President Dr. Irfaan Ali, along with ministers of government and regional and local authority officials, were on the ground in affected areas, assessing damage and coordinating urgent relief efforts.

Families in low-lying and flood-prone regions are among those most impacted, with home streets and drainage systems overwhelmed by the heavy downpour. Authorities say the focus now is on reaching affected households quickly, improving drainage flow and restoring a sense of normalcy as assessments continue.

President Ali said reports so far suggest that the water is receding at a rapid pace. 

“There are some critical areas that are disaster zones, especially in Region 9 and 8. Those areas we have already made a commitment that we are going to intervene to support the communities, support the villages, support the families, but importantly also to quickly restore critical infrastructure,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha was also on the ground visiting several pump stations across the East Coast of Demerara Highway to assess the situation.

“In Georgetown, we have 16 pumps and all 16 pumps are operable. On the east bank of Demerara, we have another six pumps there which are operable. Members of the Cabinet are there to monitor the situation.In Region 5, we have 17 pumps that are operable. In Region 6, we have close to 75 pumps that are operable. In Region 2, we are also monitoring the situation, although we haven’t had any flooding reports,” the minister said.

Government response teams have been mobilised across Guyana after the Hydromet Service reported more than 112 mm of rainfall in coastal regions within the past 24 hours, a short-duration downpour that led to significant water accumulation in several areas. President Ali has directed that all available drainage infrastructure and resources be fully activated and operated at optimal capacity to speed up the removal of floodwaters. 

That work is already underway at multiple locations across the affected regions. Authorities say the priority now is to restore normal drainage flow, reduce standing water in residential and commercial areas, and support communities impacted by the intense rainfall event.