By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo
The Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government in a report update on Tuesday stated that the CTTRC, still reeling from the floods that occurred ten days ago, reported nine that day.
The Port-of-Spain City Corporation reported two.
There were also three reports of fallen trees, two in the Sangre Grande district and one in Mayaro.
Two landslips also occurred in Sangre Grande.
And there was one report of a fire in, also in the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation.
The ministry stated at 8.15 pm on Facebook, “The recent inclement weather has resulted in elevated riverine levels in various regions. There were reports of flash flooding in parts of Trinidad. While the levels have receded in many parts of Trinidad, we urge the public to take caution. Landslides occurred in some parts of Trinidad. Disaster Management Unit (DMU) and relevant agencies provided assistance and dispatched relief.”
The ministry added that high tides were being experienced and that runoff flooding would have been longer.
Affected communities are urged to call relevant Disaster Management Units.
All reported incidents will be sent to relevant authorities for assessment and dispatching relief.
Permanent plan needed
CTTRC’s chairman Henry Awong told AZP News that the main contribution to the recent floodings was improper development.
He said, “The area has been really developed in the recent years. Nobody is saying no to development. But develop in the proper way.”
Awong said several persons were building in “lagoon areas” trying to maximise as much land space as possible and therefore limiting the flow of water.
He also said due to the Central Range and the Caparo River that flows into smaller tributaries, a lot of the water was running down the hills into the low-lying areas. Waterloo and Orange Valley were the lowest areas within the Corporation he said.
Awong said, “What we need is a permanent plan. We cannot be digging a few drains with a backhoe and saying that is enough.”
A permanent plan will require the intervention of Town and Country Planning, the Environmental Management Authority (EMA), the Ministry of Works and Transport Drainage Division, the CTTRC and others.
“We need engineering solutions,” he said.
The chairman admitted that on Wednesday morning, the CTTRC was being reactive by offering help to the many residents who were affected by Tuesday’s floods adding that this time, the flooding was worse and hundreds of families will be affected.
