Guyana's Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has told residents to prepare for hotter and drier weather, as El Niño conditions are expected to continue into the fourth quarter of next year. The commission's deputy director general, Lieutenant-Colonel Mark Thomas, gave the warning on Thursday at a consultation in Region Five, where regional officials and community members were briefed on the expected conditions.

Thomas said the CDC is taking the message to all ten administrative regions and working with Regional Democratic Councils, Neighbourhood Democratic Councils, village councils and other government agencies. Similar sessions have been held in Regions Two, Three, Four and Six, and in several hinterland regions. He described the approach as proactive disaster risk management, intended to help communities understand what they could face and put plans in place early.

Temperatures are expected to rise as the year goes on, with October projected to be warmer than September. The CDC did not give figures for temperature or rainfall. Farmers and communities have been encouraged to conserve, harvest and store water so that livestock and crops have enough during dry periods.

Thomas cautioned that El Niño does not mean heavy rain will stop. Sudden downpours could still occur and may cause flash flooding, particularly in low-lying communities.

The drier conditions also raise the risk of forest and bush fires. Thomas pointed to the large number of forest fires recorded in Guyana in 2024 and said a fire had also been reported recently in Kwakwani. He warned that slash-and-burn farming can allow fires to spread if precautions are not taken. Farmers have been advised to establish firebreaks and follow proper procedures when using fire to clear land.

The CDC is working with Neighbourhood Democratic Councils to improve firefighting capacity in rural and hinterland communities that have no permanent fire service. Volunteers, residents and members of the Guyana Defence Force Reserve are being trained in basic firefighting. Some communities are also receiving protective equipment and other resources.

The commission has activated its National Emergency Operations Centre and is strengthening regional emergency systems so that information and requests for help can be passed on quickly if conditions worsen. Thomas said the agency is also planning for a worst-case scenario. He recalled that Guyana asked Brazil for assistance in 2024, when the country was overwhelmed by the effects of the conditions. The CDC remains in contact with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, Brazil and the United Nations in case further support is needed.

Thomas said heat is a concern for people who spend long hours outdoors. He named children, construction workers and employees of Guyana Power and Light and Guyana Water Incorporated as groups that need clear guidance on staying hydrated while temperatures are high.

All forecasts and advice in the briefing came from the CDC. No independent meteorological source was cited.

Thomas said the aim of the consultations is to have communities ready before the effects of El Niño intensify. "If we stay proactive and we discuss and put systems and plans in place, then this period should not be a difficult period for us," he said.

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