Farmers counting losses

Agricultural areas impacted in Central include Brasso Seco, Caparo, Mamoral, Flanagin Town, Longdenville, Enterprise and Endeavour. The farmers said that no amount of preparation was enough to lessen the impact of the storm.

Many said they spent several hours securing their livestock, but all in vain.

“For the past 25 years I have been rearing livestock and this is the first time I am faced with such great losses.

This is the first time I have seen so much water in all my life,” said Fatima Baksh, 43, of Lynch Trace, Mamoral.

She said the rain started at 11.30 pm Monday and did not stop for the next five hours.

“When I looked through the window, I saw flood water had reached to the neck of my hogs. I could not stay indoors and watch my animals die...I had to do something,” Baksh said. The mother of three said she and her husband went out into the storm. “We took a chance and walked through the flood which was rising by the minute.” Baksh said while she was able to secure the hogs on higher ground, 14 piglets and dozens of chickens and ducks were swept away. “I really tried to save them, but the water kept gushing and pushing against me. I cried when I realised I could not save the poor piglets,” Baksh said. Farmer Rhiam Ramnarine, 42, of Caparo said he was helpless as two dozen chickens were carried away in the flood. “When the water reached my chest, I knew it would be in vain to save my animals. I have lost thousands of dollars from this one flood,” Ramnarine said