Farmers, residents face losses as persistent rain, damaged sluice trigger flooding in Crabwood Creek

Two broken sluice doors coupled with prolonged rainfall across the Upper Corentyne have left residents and farmers in Crabwood Creek, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) facing growing losses.

The damaged sluice, which plays a critical role in regulating water levels in the area, gave way under pressure, allowing water to flow unchecked into the drainage system and surrounding lands. The failure has since led to water accumulation in farmlands and residential areas, raising concerns among those already grappling with weather-related setbacks.

Efforts were made to bring the situation under control, with the contractor, who had previously been awarded a contract to replace the ageing wooden doors with more durable metal ones, working from Friday night into Saturday afternoon to carry out emergency remedial works.

However, up to late Saturday afternoon, the sluice continued to leak, with water still seeping through compromised sections of the structure. The replacement metal doors are currently being constructed as part of ongoing upgrade works.

The Water Users Association has been closely monitoring the situation and, as of Saturday afternoon, had begun making arrangements to have a drainage pump deployed to the area to assist with removing excess water. The intervention comes amid continued rainfall over the past week and a half, which has already left the drainage system under strain.

For rice farmers in Crabwood Creek, the situation has become increasingly dire. Harvesting activities, already delayed due to persistent rainfall, have now been brought to a near standstill.

Combines remain idle in fields that have become too waterlogged to access, even as crops have reached full maturity. In some instances, farmers report that paddy left standing in the fields has begun to germinate, with new shoots emerging from the grains; an indication that the crop is deteriorating and losses are imminent.

The additional water intrusion from the damaged sluice has only worsened conditions for farmers who were already racing against time to complete harvesting. The impact is not limited to rice cultivation.

Crabwood Creek, regarded as one of the main cash crop-producing areas in the region, has also seen significant effects on vegetable and other crop farmers, many of whom depend on stable drainage conditions to sustain production.

Residents in parts of the community have also reported water accumulating in their yards, with some indicating that the situation has made it difficult to move in and out of their homes, particularly in low-lying areas. The situation has also brought renewed attention to the Government’s recently launched crop insurance programme.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha had urged farmers to register for the initiative, which is designed to provide financial protection against losses caused by adverse weather and other risks. While some affected farmers had enrolled in the programme, others who now suffered losses were not registered, leaving them without that layer of protection.

Meanwhile, extension officers from the Ministry of Agriculture have been on the ground monitoring the situation and assessing the impact on farmers, as concerns mount over the potential scale of losses if conditions persist.

With the sluice still leaking and rainfall continuing, farmers and residents alike remain on edge, hoping for swift intervention to restore proper drainage and prevent further damage to crops and livelihoods.