By Chantalé Fletcher
HELP is on its way for three homeowners in Soomai Trace, Cap-de-Ville, following a freak storm on Monday.
Councillor for Cedros Shankar Teelucksingh together with representatives from the Siparia Regional Corporation, Disaster Unit and the Office of the MP for Point Fortin visited affected residents to assess the situation.
Speaking to AZPNews.com on Thursday, Teelucksingh said residents were given basic items, in addition to a mattress and tarpaulins.
He said the Siparia Corporation has faced challenges for a couple of years with limited supplies to aid persons with such disasters.
“We are supposed to be in the dry season but we’re getting heavy rainfalls together with high winds in the southwest peninsula.
“This is something that the Ministry of Local Government and Ministry of Finance are supposed to be able to give the corporation some additional resources to deal with some of these disasters,” Teelucksingh said.
He said each homeowner sent letters to the National Self-Help Commission, the Ministry Social Welfare Department and other agencies to get assistance.
Teelucksingh said, “These letters were to be taken by the homeowners to get assistance. It’s usually a long process but I hope it could be shortened in the quickest possible time to help.”
Soomai Trace resident and pensioner Ramkaran Ramdass told AZPNews.com the materials needed to repair the damage was estimated at $25, 000.
However, Ramdass said he was 65 years old and unemployed, so he looked forward for assistance with construction when materials were received.
“A Tornado breeze,” was how he described Monday’s incident.
Ramdass recalled, “I was inside when I heard this big noise and when I looked out I saw half of the roof peel off and went on the other side.”
He said he was thankful for the quick response from all officials upon hearing of the incident to assist them and the other families.
Ramdass said, “God is good,” and was thankful there was no further damage or loss of lives.
Meanwhile another resident, Prem Jadurai said he still needed to get an estimate into the damages from the hardware on his home.
Jaduari said, “My main concerns were on the roof which blew up (about 20 feet away) and fell back down. We were just getting a little leakage inside the house so we would remain at home.
“Luckily no one was hurt, however, but still needed some assistance to install the tarpaulin over his house.”
The third house of Kristen Sookdeo had an estimated cost of $20,000 to complete repairs.
Councillor Teelucksingh said he would continue to source relief for the affected families.
