By Sue-Ann Wayow
WITH Christmas around the corner, many citizens instead of preparing for the holiday, are trying to get back to some sort of normalcy after excessive flooding over the past two weeks.
With waters finally subsiding and those living in areas such as Valsayn, Bamboo, Mayaro, Oropouche and Debe could finally walk on dry land. The bad weather has left remnants of its destruction in the form of landslides across the country including the part of Manzanilla that was completely washed away.
While there were no fatalities, many had to be rescued by boat, police officers saved three women pinned to a wall in Barrackpore and some spent the night in shelters.
Food delivery for those marooned was done by boat.
The Water Taxi Service, added on extra sailings to accommodate persons stuck in traffic heading south and the Priority Bus Route (PBR) was open to general traffic for a period.
The Ministry of Health issued advisories on how to protect oneself in flood waters and informed the public about the risk of the infectious disease, leptospirosis which is especially likely in flood situations.
Press conference after press conference was held to update the population on what was taking place as the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government issued daily reports on the number of situations occurring in each regional corporation.
Several Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) plants were impacted during that period causing additional stress for flood victims relying on a clean water supply.
The Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) was forced to put into use the new amphibious vehicle designed to enter water-logged territories.
Schools were closed in both Trinidad and Tobago for one day.
Relief efforts that began by Government agencies were not enough as frustrated residents at Bamboo hurled insults at Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Faris Al-Rawi and Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan when they visited the area last week.
They, along with Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley got a tongue-lashing from the Opposition for their handling of flood relief efforts and finances.
Most of the flooding occurred in the Opposition’s constituencies.
Sinanan spent most of the flooded time touring areas, visiting pump stations and landslides along with his ministerial team, attempting to see causes and find solutions to the flooding.
Residents of Bamboo No.2 on Tuesday. AZP News/Sue-Ann Wayow
As for relief efforts that are ongoing, non-government and religious organisations as well as private citizens have pitched in to assist.
SEWATT through its partnerships has distributed more than 10,000 meals in 25 areas over an eight-day period.
The Ministry of Social Development and Family Services activated its Critical Incident Response System and informed the public that its Critical Incident Online Application forms were available to persons affected by flooding and disaster who may not have been visited by the Disaster Management Units.
Minister of Agriculture, Lands and Fisheries Kazim Hosein also pledged his assistance to legit farmers who would have lost thousands of crops in the flooded areas.
Video of flooding in Bamboo No.2. AZP News video/Sue-Ann Wayow
By Monday, one-way traffic at least is now allowed along most of the road network as lots of debris have been cleared, and in a few places, only local traffic is allowed.
Motorists should still exercise care and caution according to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS).
Apart from food donations, cleaning supplies are still being distributed and citizens are being warned to brace for high vegetable prices.
And the Opposition continues to question the Government’s relief efforts.
