By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE Caroni Licensing Office will be closed on Friday.
The Office was closed on Thursday at noon, and the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation advised that it will remain closed.
“This precautionary measure has been taken in light of adverse weather conditions and the increased risk of localised flooding in the area,” the ministry stated in a public notice.
The ministry apologised for any inconvenience and said affected persons will be accommodated upon the re-opening of the office.
On Friday morning, areas of Caroni and Central remain under high alert as river waters kept rising after a third day of consistent rainfall.
On Thursday evening, the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS) advised that further rainfall was expected over the next 12-24 hours, which will likely worsen riverine flooding conditions.
As a result, a severe risk remains to public safety, livelihoods, and property, particularly for residents in flood-prone communities along the Caroni, Manuel Congo and South Oropouche Rivers.
Other rivers, including the North Oropouche, were rising at lower rates but were still under close observation.
Four hikers were rescued late Thursday night after they went hiking along the Edith Falls trail in Chaguaramas. They were rescued by the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Services (TTFS) Land and Search rescue team north.
State agencies are assisting affected residents mainly the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) and regional corporations.
Government ministries are overseeing and assessment works to be done to bring immediate as well as longer-term relief.
On Thursday night, Trantrail Road, St Augustine was completely impassable due to the severe flooding, an advisory sent to mobile phones through the ODPM PANS TT alert.
After the post Cabinet media briefing at the Red House in Port of Spain on Thursday, Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Khadijah Ameen visited her constituency to further assess the flood impact.
Other Members of Parliament including MP for Arima Pennelope Beckles and MP for Port of Spain North/St Ann’s West Stuart Young were also out in field.
Young posted, “I would like to thank those who answered the call for assistance for one of my constituents today. Due to the inclement weather there was the real possibility of a utility pole falling onto her house. My call for assistance was answered and the pole was removed averting possible disaster and loss. Thank you to those who assisted.”
