By Sue-Ann Wayow
AS of midday today (Wednesday, October 5, 2022), several areas in Trinidad have experienced flash flooding due to heavy rainfall from a tropical wave.
In an Adverse Weather Yellow Alert #2, the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS) stated, “The forward speed of the tropical wave located just east of Tobago has since increased resulting in impactful weather now expected to begin affecting Trinidad and Tobago earlier.”
Aranguez, San Juan, Tacarigua, St Augustine, Arouca, St Joseph, Sangre Grande and Toco were just some of the areas covered by gushing flood waters.
On the Solomon Hochoy Highway, traffic is moving at a snail’s pace as motorists have on warning lights as they drive through some flooded areas.
In Tobago, there were reports of flooding in Argyle. Schools were dismissed early and workers of the Tobago House of Assembly were also sent home. Emergency crews were out and about in affected areas, Chief Secretary Farley Augustine said in a Facebook post.
In Trinidad, schools and businesses have sent home children and staff early. There were reports that North Eastern College in Sangre Grande has been flooded.
And the Priority Bus Route (PBR) is partially open for persons driving light motor vehicles.
The Ministry of Works and Transport in a public notice on Wednesday stated that authorisation has been granted for the light motor vehicles to use the PBR from Mt Hope to Arima both ways from 12 noon on Wednesday until 12 midnight on Thursday.
The yellow-level weather alert came into effect at 5 am on Wednesday. It is expected to end by 12 noon on Friday.
The TTMS has informed that Trinidad and Tobago is currently experiencing heavy rainfall with strong gusty winds in excess of 55km/hr.
Expect run-off from high tide
Trinidad and Tobago is also being warned by the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government to expect run-off can be impacted by high tides at 1.30 pm.
Motorists were especially advised to be cautious on the roadway.
In a release at 12.04 pm, the ministry stated that its municipal police were on the ground providing live on-site confirmation updates.
A call to all agencies and response bodies was made to engage all preparatory and relief procedures.
The ministry said that the relevant agencies have been deployed to areas affected.
