The first resupply flights, carried out by the Casa aircraft of the armed forces, began this Thursday, with daily rotations to transport food and other essential products. Each of the two Casa aircraft present in Guyana can make up to three rotations per day, with a capacity of four tonnes of cargo per rotation. These flights mainly serve the municipalities of Camopi, Maripasoula and Grand-Santi, located along the Oyapock and Maroni rivers, where river navigation is complicated by extremely low water levels.
At the same time, the local airline Guyane Fly has increased its freight capacity, allowing the transport of 20 tonnes of goods each week to these same isolated areas. In addition to foodstuffs, the authorities are also considering the air transport of gas cylinders, the shortage of which affects several localities in the interior. These bottles could soon be included in the cargo of Casa planes, with a sales price capped by decree in order to ensure their accessibility to local populations.
The effects of drought are also being felt on the coast, particularly in Saint-Laurent, where the quality of drinking water is affected by an increased level of salinity. This worrying situation could force the municipality to close schools due to health risks, while, in Haut-Maroni, three schools remained closed and several school transport lines by canoe had to be suspended for security reasons. The situation remains under surveillance by state services, the CTG and the mayors concerned, in order to monitor developments in the hydrological situation and coordinate the necessary actions.
Read also: The Territorial Collectivity of Guyana adopts emergency measures in the face of the extreme drought of the Maroni and the Oyapock
Damien Chaillot
