G/town hit by flooding; Authorities say drainage pumps active

Widespread flooding due to several hours of rainfall overwhelmed drainage systems across the capital city, Georgetown, and efforts are being made to control the situation.

The heavy downpour began during the early morning hours of Thursday and quickly strained drainage systems.  In Georgetown, the News Room observed several streets became impassable as water levels rose, affecting commuters heading to work and school. Businesses in affected areas placed pallets and barriers near their entrances to prevent water from entering their buildings.

Authorities said the flooding resulted from sustained heavy rainfall that slowed the natural runoff of water into drainage canals and outfalls. The Hydrometeorological Service on Thursday issued a flood advisory stating that moderate to deep convective clouds were producing moderate to heavy showers and rain across those areas.

“These conditions are expected to continue for approximately the next two hours. This may result in flooding in low-lying and flood-prone areas or exacerbate existing flooding,” the advisory stated.

The agency also warned that visibility across most areas was reduced to less than five kilometres due to the heavy rainfall.

Rasheed Kellman, the engineer responsible for Georgetown’s drainage network, told the News Room that the city’s pumps are operational and assisting with removal of the buildup of water.

“We are putting together a plan in case we have any future events but we have a team that is usually on standby just in case there are any events of emergency, like a blockage,” Kellman said.

He added that the team remains on standby and it is expected that water levels will subside by 16:00 hrs. Kellman said that Georgetown’s coastal, below-sea-level topography makes it particularly vulnerable to flooding during periods of intense rainfall.