By Sue-Ann Wayown
TRINIDAD is under a Riverine Yellow Alert with South Trinidad being mainly affected.
The alert came into effect on Sunday at 10.10 pm and is expected to end on Monday at 5 pm.
The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS) on its Facebook page stated, “After today’s rainfall activity, major river levels in Southern areas of Trinidad are near or above 90%, with smaller watercourses at critical levels and overtopping observed in isolated areas (based on official reports). Intermittent periods of rainfall will likely continue over the next 12-18 hours, which will result in the further elevation of the river levels.”
The population was advised that run-off will be slower at high tide which was at 11.02 pm on Sunday and at 11.40 am on Monday.
In a river level advisory at 8.30 am on Monday, the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government advised that the South Oropouche River was at 99% capacity. The El Carmen Caroni River was at 74% capacity while the Caroni River at Bamboo Settlement was at 64% capacity.
The TTMS advises the population to monitor weather conditions and river levels before venturing out, avoid areas with flood waters, monitor updates from official sources and plan safety measures, including emergency supplies of food and water and follow the instructions of government officials.
