Takutu River rises. Residents on Alert.

The community of Lethem is on alert as water levels of the Takutu have risen early this year. RAM representatives have been invited to attend another planning and strategy meeting this afternoon together with local leaders to prepare potential flooding.

In June of 2011 this community experience record high flood waters that dispaced hundreds of families forcing them into makeshift shelters. It is not uncommon to have initial high water levels reduce in the early rainy season and them rise again with more serious flooding as occurred last year.

Floods routinely affect numerous outlying indigenous villages as well and many more by cut-off access roads and flooded farmlands. RAM Guyana works with the Civil Defence Commission, Local Authorities, other agencies, and vollunteers to prepare and respond to hazardous and disaster situations.

Pictured here is a boat loading passengers near the Lethem Public Market today. Stay tuned for updates.