By Ivan Cairo
Caribbean Net News Suriname Correspondent
Email: ivan@caribbeannetnews.com
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Heavy and persistent rainfall throughout the week has resulted in excessive flooding to some areas in Suriname’s interior, officials and victims in the affected areas confirmed. The flooding in the interior comes on top of similar situations in other parts of the country, including the capital Paramaribo.
In May 2006, heavy rainfall caused serious flooding of the same areas, forcing thousands residents to flee to higher ground, while others were evacuated.
“Immediate action of the National Coordination Center for Disaster Management (NCCR) is not necessary; we are constantly monitoring the situation,” said NCCR spokesman Derrick Beeldsnijder in an invited comment.
He further noted that although the situation is not alarming yet, the NCCR is ready to step in if in any case the situation might deteriorate. Currently a monitoring system is in place to evaluate the developments on a day by day basis.
According to residents and officials, several buildings and houses in the villages of Isadou, Kajana, Awaradam, Pokigron, Nieuw-Aurora and Jamaica Kamp were already affected. As a precaution schools in Djumu and Semoisi were closed by the local authorities. In some areas the water was as high as three feet.
“The water is already at the doorstep of the out-patient clinic,” said Claudette Eduards, a nurse in Pokigron. The clinic was already being evacuated she further disclosed. According to Eduards from Monday through Wednesday water levels in the river have risen by over 8 feet.
Meteorologist Radjkoemar Nanda confirmed that excessive rainfall lashed the Boven-Suriname area resulting in water levels rising in rivers and creeks. He noted that the Meteorological Service registered 40 mm to 140 mm precipitation.
The torrential rains are caused by “disturbances” in the atmosphere over southern French-Guiana, moving west ward to Suriname, he disclosed. “This is bad news,” said the meteorologist, since more rain is expected.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly discussed the issue in Thursday’s session, asking the government what is being done to address the situation. Several Members of Parliament noted that a lack of maintenance of canals and other drainage systems in and around the capital and other districts is contributing to the flooding in several residential areas.
On several occasions, members of the government have indicated that due to a lack of funding a Master Drainage Plan for the capital could not be implemented. Currently the government is reviewing options for funding of this programme that was drafted in 2001.
This week, residents in the Commewijne District barricaded roads to their village to draw the attention of the authorities to inundation in their communities, continuing for more than three weeks.
Disgruntled residents from other communities on Thursday morning staged a peaceful demonstration in front of parliament ,demanding immediate action on the part of the government to address the issue. | 
