By Sue-Ann Wayow
RIVER flood levels are now at an elevated orange level after excessive rainfall over a two-day period.
Instructions have been given to make preparations to preserve lives, livelihood and property.
While a yellow level weather alert was issued by the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Services (TTMS) on Wednesday at 6.30 pm, it was upgraded to orange level just after 9 pm.
The riverine alert is expected to end on Thursday at 6 pm and the yellow level weather alert was also extended to Thursday at 4 pm.
The TTMS stated, “After continued rainfall activity, the Manuel Congo River and the Caroni River near the Tumpuna and El Carmen areas have all reached critical threshold levels (based on official data) and may soon overflow their banks as water levels continue in an upward trajectory.
“While weather conditions have settled over Trinidad currently, further rainfall activity will likely continue over the next 24 hours which will result in further elevation of these river levels. As a result, there continues to be a severe risk to public safety, livelihood and property in communities surrounding these rivers. Other major rivers, including the North and South Oropouche, are rising at relatively lower rates but are also being monitored closely.”
The TTMS also advised persons to activate a safety plan and protect important assets and documents.
“Do not take unnecessary risks. Follow the instructions of government officials,” the TTMS also advised.
The Priority Bus Route (PBR) was also opened to the public (drivers of light motor vehicles) from 6 pm to midnight on Wednesday, the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation advised. Transport Minister Eli Zakour was also at the bus terminal in Port of Spain on Wednesday night.
As at 9.15 pm on Wednesday, the El Carmen (Caroni River), the Caroni Tumpuna River and the Manuel Congo River in Arima were full and overflowing its capacity.
The Caroni River along Bamboo Settlement was at 80 per cent capacity and the South Oropouche River was at 78 per cent. Those rivers were being closely monitored as well as other watercourses.
The Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government issued a media statement stating that multiple municipal corporations have activated high alert protocols as flooding were reported in mainly the Penal/Debe Regional Corporation (PDRC), Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation (CTTRC) and the Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation (TPRC).
There were also reports of flooding from the Chaguanas Borough Corporation (CBC).
“Access roads have been disrupted and homes have been inundated in flood prone areas, including South Oropouche, Caparo Valley and near the Caroni River,” the ministry stated.
With school children writing exams mainly Form Five and Form Six pupils, secondary schools will not be used as emergency shelters and the ministry has requested assistance from the army to assist pupils in the Penal/Debe region with transport.
Dinghies and trucks have also been deployed three across the PDRC, three across the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation (SGRC) and two for the TPRC to ensure pupils from flood-affected areas are transported safely to and from their examination centres.
Emergency shelters have been set up at primary schools and various community centres.
The Ministry of Education issued a press release on Wednesday evening advising that it was closely monitoring the weather situation.
PANS TT alert was issued out to citizens on Wednesday advising of the adverse situation.
The Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) also updated customers of their plants being affected by the adverse weather conditions mainly in north and Tobago.
WASA stated 11 plants in north were affected due to “high turbidity and clogged screens caused by flooded rivers arising from heavy rainfall.”
The same description was given for the three plants affected in Tobago.
