MORE than 25,000 sandbags plus other supplies were distributed to the 14 municipal corporations in preparation for the pending tropical storm.
The system that had the potential to become a tropical cyclone was expected to seriously affect Trinidad and Tobago by 6 pm on Tuesday but did not and late Tuesday night, the storm warning was discontinued.
However, the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS) has advised that a yellow weather alert remains in place.
The Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government in its wrap up report on Tuesday night stated that shelters were identified and activated on a needs basis in all the corporations.
In addition to the sandbags, cots, tarpaulin, chainsaws and dry goods were also distributed.
The Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) had some disruption in its water supply due to the flooding of various plants.
Affected areas included: parts of Toco, Santa Cruz, North Coast areas, St Anns, Maracas, St Joseph, Valleyview, Acono Ridge, parts of Arouca, Marac, Gran Chemin, La Lune, parts of Point Fortin, Chatham South, Cap-de-Ville, Point Coco Junction.
In Tobago, Hillsborough West and Bacolet were affected.
The Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) had disruptions in Trinidad: Blanchisseuse, Manzanilla, Sangre Grande, St Helena, San Fernando, Enterprise and Tobago: Mason Hall, Crowne Point, Les Coteaux Road, Moriah.
Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Faris Al-Rawi embarked on spot checks in Caroni and Greenvale and ministry representatives also visited Sangre Grande, Debe and Cedros.
Earlier on Tuesday, Al-Rawi together with Minister of Public Utilities Marvin Gonzales, Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan, Minister of Communications Symon de Nobriga held a press conference along with meteorologist Gary Benjamin and head of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) Major General (Ret’d) Rodney Smart.
They assured citizens that everything was being done possible to ensure minimal effects and advised the population to take all the necessary precautions to safeguard themselves and their belongings.
All government offices and several other state agencies had an early lock-off time and schools were closed for the entire day.
Normal opening and closing hours are expected to resume today (Wednesday, June 29, 2022).
In Tobago, schools will remain closed today.
