Flooding in Springlands Avenue in Valsayn. Video courtesy Dr Rajendra Singh
By Sue-Ann Wayow
WITH many parts of Trinidad and Tobago still submerged under water, several persons had to be evacuated from their homes on Sunday.
The Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government in its incident report at 12. 45 pm stated that evacuations occurred in Valsayn, Madras and Santa Monica Trace in Kelly Village within the Tunapuna Piarco Regional Corporation (TPRC).
By 2.45 pm, 15 people were evacuated from their homes in Valsayn and taken to safety on dry ground by either family or neighbours, AZP News was told.
Local government councillor for Valsayn, St Joseph Seema Ramsaran-Augustine said she was on the ground from 11 am along with other members of the TPRC and volunteers assisting persons and their pets out of their homes in Springlands Avenue and Springdrive in Valsayn.
She said two caimans could also be seen in the flood waters.
While it was not the first time the areas have been flooded, Ramsaran-Augustine said this time, “the water was extremely high.”
The councillor said everyone evacuated was safe.
Dr Rajendra Singh, who lives at the corner of Springlands Avenue and Spring Drive, said residents were marooned twice last week, from Tuesday to Friday and then from Saturday evening at around 4 pm until Sunday.
Dr Singh was concerned with the high water levels as his floodgate could only handle 14 inches more of water again before there was an overspill.
Around 2.25 pm, he said, the water level was the same for the past hour but he was not sure if it was rising very slowly.
Flooding in Springlands Avenue in Valsayn. Video courtesy Dr Rajendra Singh
The Ministry of Rural Development stated that over 40 floods have been reported across the country just after 12 noon today. Additionally, 31 landslides have been reported.
This after 54 floods were reported and 30 landslides occurred on Saturday.
The Couva Tabaquite Talparo Regional Corporation (CTTRC) topped the flooding list with 13 floods occurring in that district.
The San Juan Laventille Regional Corporation (SJLRC) reported the most landslides – 14.
There were also two reports of fallen trees.
A shelter has been activated in the Mayaro Rio Claro Regional Corporation (MRCRC) at the Plum Mitan Community Centre.
There was also a landslide at Grande Riviere where reportedly two cars were covered.
By this morning, the Caroni River (El Carmen) already broke its banks. The Caroni River (Bamboo Settlement) was at 84% capacity by 1 pm, and the North Oropouche River was at 79 % capacity according to the ministry’s river level advisory alert.
