User:Joofjoof/2022 Suriname floods

Thursday, March 17, 2022

The flooding in Suriname has expanded since its beginning on 9 March along five rivers in four districts. These are residential areas of indigenous and maroon peoples in the east of the country's interior.

Heavy rains continued in the first two months of 2022, which is unusual in Suriname for February. Normally this is the first month of the short dry season. Due to the weather phenomenon La Niña, the dry season has been lost and it has continued to rain. Weather expert Roel Oehlers expects this situation to continue until the end of March, when the short dry season ends.

As of 15 March 2022, the flood zone extends from Para District and Moengo in the north to the catchment areas of the Upper Saramacca, Upper Suriname, Tapanahoni, Lawa and Marowijne in the south.

Homes are flooded, schools are closed and all kinds of facilities have been isolated and/or submerged, including medical posts and airports. In Poesoeweeroe and Gonini, the water has entered all the outpatient clinics. In Gonini, hospital staff were evacuated with the help of military personnel stationed at Stoelmanseiland. Only Brokopondo District has medical care facilities not yet hindered by the rising water.

The Ministry of Regional Development and Sport, the National Coordination Centre for Disaster Control (NCCR) and the Surinamese Red Cross are providing emergency aid.