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| Guyana’s preparedness to respond to flooding caused by changing weather patterns is questionable since the country lacks the relevant modern hydrometeorological equipment, mirroring that of the developed world.Agriculture Minister,Dr. Leslie RamsmamyThe Hydrometeorological Office did not provide warning of the record-setting downpour that caused last month’s flooding in the city, because there was no data. Its current system could not have predicted the emerging weather pattern.This was indicated by Agriculture Minister,Wholesale Authentic Jerseys, Dr. Leslie Ramsmamy whilst responding to a query as to the findings of the investigations into why the Hydromet Office failed to provide warning of the November occurrence.The Minister was quick to clarify that there is no investigation but rather “…a study to see what we can do when those emerging weather patterns happen that we can be in a better situation to respond.”He also admitted that his statement contradicts earlier comments by Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon that an investigation is ongoing into the matter.Dr. Luncheon had said, “For authorities, for citizens, what matters are warnings, preparedness and responses in the extant situation of November 26 and onwards. Hydromet failed us.”He had said that warnings were not provided in a “timely way”. The Hydromet Office is a constituent of the preparation of the national disaster preparedness strategy that is currently being compiled.According to Dr. Luncheon, the office gets information from the satellite system and capital investments made by Government to improve forecasting. He added that its information is predictive and feeds into the early warning system located at the Civil Defence Commission.The Cabinet Secretary said that it was unfortunate that for the November 26 rains, no information was fed into the early warning system. He said the possibility exists that either the hydromet office received information and did not feed it into the early warning system or no information was received.However, Dr. Ramsammy maintained that the hydromet office was unable to predict the “change in weather pattern that emerged over a short period of time which even (United States of) America can’t do.”Dr. Ramsammy nevertheless opoined that Guyana needs to build a system that is equal to America’s, and for this to be a reality, this country would probably have to spend its entire national budget to buy equipment and train personnel. |
