Name of Student: Shania Baird

Candidate Number: 090007011

Name of Centre: The Bishops’ High School

Centre Number:090007

Subject: Geography

Teacher: Sir Lakeram Singh

 Contents

Introduction-1

Title-2

Aim of Study-3

Location of Study Area-4

Methodology-5

Discussion-6-13

Findings-14

Concluiosn-15

Appendix-16-23
Introduction

Flooding; the submersion of an area by water. In Guyana, one passing on the Low Coastal Plain

may see a flooded rice field; preparation for planting. For the purpose of the research the type of

flooding that will be investigated is the type common to most citizens i.e., the kind that causes

diseases and property damage. The flooding that generates stagnant water and an unsightly

display of the nation’s refuse. The researcher wishes to investigate the problematic type of
flooding, its causes and preparation for it and suggest a solution to this nuisance in South

Cummingsburg.

Title

How prepared are the residents of South Cummingsburg for flooding?

Aim of Study

How prepared are the residents of South Cummings burg for a flood?
Location of Study Area

The area to be investigated is South Cummings burg. The section being used begins at

Carmichael Street and ends at Cummings Street. The researcher, a student of The Bishops’ High

School and a frequent visitor to the Cummings Street area, is affected by these floods and wishes

to investigate how well are the residents prepared to deal with it.
Methodology

The researcher obtained primary data using quantitative research. The boundaries of the study

area, Carmichael and Cummings Streets were used to gather data using a 1:3 ratio,for every 1

questionnaire distributed on Carmichael Street, 3 were distributed on Cummings Street to

distribute a total of 20 questionnaires,5 on Carmichael Street and 15 on Cummings Street.

Secondary sources of information were used to support the quantitative research.

Presentation, Discussion and Analysis of Data

 How does the excessive rainfall cause fl ooding?
14

12

10

0
Poor Irrigation Clogged Drains Land is too low Seawall runs over Dysfunctional Koker

Respondents

Figure 1 showing how residents believe excessive rainfall leads to flooding.

The majority of persons living in Guyana are aware that heavy rainfall is the major cause of

flooding. Measures have been put in place to prevent flooding, yet still the land continues to

flood. The purpose of this question was to find out from residents what exactly causes the land to

flood. The residents were allowed to choose more than one option as more than one reason can

be identified. Based on the samples, the most common cause of flooding are clogged drains. This

shows that the government has tried to solve the problem, but maintenance of the drainage

systems seems to be a problem. The second most common response is poor irrigation. There are

residents who are of the belief that more can be done to improve the irrigation system and that

this poor setup is also greatly responsible for flooding. Another factor identified is the level of

the land. Some residents believe that the land is too low to allow for proper surface runoff and

this causes the water to settle atop the land. Residents are also of the belief that the Koker system
is unreliable and thus excess water is unable to run off of the land. Finally, some residents

believe that the seawalls are too low and water from the ocean is still able to flood the lands.

How Flooding Aff ects Residents

14
12
10
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Respondents

Figure 2 showing how residents are affected by flooding.

The residents were then asked how they think the excessive flooding affects residents personally.

Most residents seem to be of the belief that the area becomes unsightly. This is justified by the

garbage that can be seen floating in the flood waters. This garbage is usually sourced from

trenches and street corners which have been used as dumping grounds. The second most popular

answer is that children are unable to attend school. This is justified by parents’ concern for the

risk of their children contracting illnesses. Also, some learning institutions for example, The

Bishops’ High School are unable to have sessions due to the severe flood waters that makes entry

into the institution impossible (as seen in Figure 2.1). Residents also said that they are affected

by damage to their property and some have also said they have suffered financial losses. These

concerns were mainly voiced by the business community who have been unable to open their
businesses and who had to make immediate repairs. Some other residents have also suffered

from damage to their households. Residents also believe that adults are unable to attend work,

which can contribute to the loss of finances as workers may miss the day’s pay. It was also said

that residents contract illnesses due to the flood waters, which may cause them to incur expenses,

along with the losses that businesses may experience due to being unable to open.

Figure 2.1
 Residents that have suff ered losses due to fl ooding

Yes No

Figure 3

Damages residents incurred

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Respondants

Figure 3.1
The residents were also asked is they had suffered any losses due to flooding to which the

majority of residents responded no. The residents that had responded yes were further asked

what type of damage they had suffered .The most popular response was medical expenses and

financial losses. The researcher is of the belief that this sentiment was shared mostly amongst the

business community whom had stated that they were unable to open their businesses due to

flooding. The residents who had stated that they had suffered illnesses echoed the response of the

business community as they would have had to bear the cost of seeking professional medical

treatment. Residents responded to having suffered damage to property and damage to personal

assets in equal parts and the researcher believes that these two responses coincide as most

residents whose homes were damaged by flood waters also experienced this water seeping into

their homes and damaging the assets it contained. The least popular response was damage to

important documents and money and the student believes that this is due to the fact that most

residents do not keep large sums of money on their property and that most residents have already

taken precautionary measures to secure important documents.

 Measures residents have taken to prepare fo fl ooding.
25
20
15
10
5
0

Measures residents have taken to prepare fo flooding.

The majority of residents have indicated that they have not suffered losses due to flooding. With

South Cummings burg being an area constantly plagued with flood waters as most residents have

indicated, the researcher has sought to find out why most of the residents are unaffected. Based

on research conducted, most residents seem prepared to continue with their lives as usual in the

event of flooding as all residents have indicated the possession of rain gear. Eighteen of the

residents have stated that they have sealed important documents so they are not soiled by the

flood waters. Residents have also indicated that they have constructed makeshift bridges etc. so

as to not be confined to their home and it is also noted that residents have taken care to place

their electrical appliances at heightened levels so as to not have to expense themselves in

replacing or repairing them. Others have raised the level of their land to facilitate proper drainage

while some residents have placed sandbags around their homes to prevent the penetration of

water. One resident has an emergency kit and it is believed all residents are of the belief that they
are capable to remain at their homes during a flood as no resident has evacuation measures in

place.

Findings

Based on the research conducted the researcher has discovered the following:

 South Cummings burg is flooded mainly due to the clogging of drains, a reflection of

how littering affects the community. More can be done as it relates to the irrigation

system of South Cummings burg. It was also discovered that the land is too low to allow

proper drainage and that the two measures put into place by the government (seawalls

and the koker system) is somewhat functional but more can be done to improve its

standard.

 The government has tried to combat flooding by implementing kokers, seawalls and a

cleanup campaign to prevent the clogging of drains. However, residents have indicated

that while these measures are in place, a lot more needs to be done.

 The most common problem due to flooding is that the area becomes unsightly. The daily

activities of some residents are put on hold as some businesses are unable to open, while

some adults and children are unable to attend school and work respectively. Others have

identified that they contract illnesses as well as suffer damage to their property and

financial losses.

 The area becomes flooded mostly whenever it rains and is not limited to the specified wet

season only.
  Most residents are able to combat flooding as the majority have taken precautionary

measures against flooding.

 The residents are not warned in advance. The only broadcast that can be taken into

consideration is the notice that schools will be closed due to flooding.

 No evacuation measures have been put in place for residents by the government.

 Measures put in place by the government has been functional to an extent and more must

be done by the government. Based on the research it can be said that the main reason why

residents are prepared is due to the work that they themselves have done.

Conclusion

The researcher has come to the conclusion that the residents are prepared to deal with a flood.

Based on damages they have previously suffered, they have taken measures to ensure that there

is no recurrence of these effects. Residents clean their drains regularly to ensure a proper flow of

water, some have built their land higher to prevent flooding, many have proper rain gear and

utilize sand bags to prevent entry of water into their homes while others store their important

documents well away from potential flood areas and have raised their electrical appliances so as

to prevent water damage. More can be done by the government, but thus far, the residents have

done a fairly excellent job of safeguarding themselves.

Appendix
 Plate 1

Flooded Bishops’ High School

 Plate 2

Georgetown Public Hospital Flooded

Plate 3
 Guyana Power and Light Flooded

Dear resident,
The researcher is seeking your assistance in the completion of her Geography
School Based Assessment. You are asked to complete this questionnaire that is a part of a survey
being carried out in South Cummingsburg to find out how prepared the residents of your
community are for flooding.. It is expected of you to answer the questions given, truthfully and
honestly since no names are required. Thank you for your cooperation.
Respectfully,
Shania Baird
…………………………
1. Sex :Male Female
2. Ethnicity
African
Mixed
Chinese
Indian
Other

3. Age
16 and under
17-25
36-45
46-55
56 and above
4. How long have you been residing in South Cummingsburg
Less than 5 years
Less than 10 years
Less than 15 years
Over 15 years

5.Why do you think excessive rainfall causes flooding?

Poor Irrigation
Drains are clogged
Land is too low
Seawall runs over
Koker releases large deposits of water
6.How do you think the government has tried to reduce flooding?
_______________________________________________________________________
7.How does flooding affect residents?(May chose more than one option)
Adults unable to go to work
Children unable to go to school
Businesses unable to open
Area becomes unsightly
Residents contract illnesses
Damage to property and finances
8.How often does the area flood?
Monthly
Quarterly
Wet season only
Whenever it rains
9.Have you suffered any losses due to flooding?
Yes
No
10.What measures have you taken to prepare for flooding?
Building up land
Sand bags
Emergency kit
Evacuation plan
Proper gear
12.Does the government warn you about possible flooding?
Yes
No
13. Has the government put any evacuation measures in place? If yes please specify.
______________________________________________________________________
14. Have you found any measures put in place (either personally or by the government)
effective?
Yes
No
15. To what extent would flooding have affected you?(May choose more than one option)
Damage to property
Damage to personal assets
Damage to important documents, money etc.
Medical expenses