Chairman of the Penal/Debe Regional Corporation Dr Allen Sammy, says a better drainage system is needed in the South Oropouche Basin, of which Poodai Lagoon is a part.
Sammy made the comments after rains left farmlands in Poodai Lagoon saturated.
He said two weeks ago there was flooding in the area and “the water never really gone down.” He added, “ It was saturated. We’ve had rain every third day, every fourth day. It’s not been allowed to dry out.”
He called for a comprehensive approach to dealing with flooding in the area which is a food basket for Penal/Debe.
Sammy said it has negatively affected the crops people plant, particularly watermelon and short crops.
The area falls under the Agriculture Ministry and not under the corporation, but Sammy said efforts by both entities to mitigate the flooding have not been successful.
The flooding was affecting 60 acres of agricultural land and 100 farmers could be affected.
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