CDC’s national response mechanism activated- in response to El Niño

The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) which is Guyana’s premier agency for Disaster Response and Preparedness has activated the National Response Mechanism to address the shortage of water in affected Regions.

This disclosure was made by Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Raphael Trotman at today’s post-Cabinet media briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency. The Minister reminded that the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has also issued an advisory for citizens to conserve water especially in the city.

“The water level of the conservancy has dropped considerably…CDC will brief the entire Cabinet on Friday at 2pm at their Thomas Lands Office,” Minister Trotman said.

El Niño as a term now equates to a period of record drought that has been found responsible for as much as 90 per cent of the deficiency in rainfall in September and October, and for the complete failure of a rainy season in mid-November to mid-January.

The weather pattern continues to affect all coastland farmers, as their crops are in dire need of water. Rice farmers and the rice industry are especially hard hit by the situation since the lack of water has made it difficult for them to plant the current crop. Farmers in Region Nine also find themselves in a grave situation due to the shortage of water.

The CDC has since provided a number of water tanks and pumps which sees water being pumped from the nearest river and trucked to the needed locations.