T&T Prepares for Bad Weather

By Sue-Ann Wayow

CITIZENS are being asked to make urgent preparations to deal with the upcoming adverse weather that could affect Trinidad and Tobago over the next few days.

Several Government Ministers including Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Faris Al Rawi, Minister of Public Utilities Marvin Gonzales and Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan spoke at an emergency press conference on Sunday to deal with the topic of three major events expected to affect the country.

These include:  

Al Rawi said, “It is critical that we take advantage of preparation. Why preparation? With three systems coming potentially back to back, we only have one opportunity to prepare and that opportunity is right now.”

He said that Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, who is currently in the US, triggered full activity last night and Acting Prime Minister Colm Imbert has since held a meeting with him, Gonzales who is also acting as Minister of National Security and Sinanan to ensure preparation ahead of any weather event.

All 14 regional corporations have been required to do a baseline analysis of all assets to ensure they are able to withstand difficult weather conditions. 

He urged citizens to reach out to their relevant Regional Corporations for assistance as the first line of communication in the event of a disaster.

The minister also urged livestock farmers to secure their animals.

Gonzales also said that the utility companies the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA), the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) and Solid Waste Management Company Limited (SWMCOL) were on high alert to give support to all agencies. 

Additionally, the National Emergency Operations Centre (NOC), the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF), the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service (TTFS), Ministry of Health, SWMCOL, T&TEC, WASA were fully activated and ready to assist if the need arises.

Sinanan also said the desilting programme was ongoing. 

He said that water pumps were working at all sites and there were people are on the ground monitoring for blockages.

However, Sinanan said that the flooding mostly occurs in low-lying areas and most of it was street flooding.

Sinanan said, “The rivers are cleared on an ongoing programme, however, we are faced with two high tides every day and that has some hindrances to the outflow from the river into the oceans.”

Equipment will also be on the ground to deal with landslips, including along the North Coast and other landslip-prone areas.

All ministers advised the population to keep checking for alerts and to do their part to protect themselves and others in the next coming days.

Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) chief executive officer Major General (Ret’d) Rodney Smart confirmed that Disaster Response Agencies are on alert and ready to assist.

Corporation hotline numbers are as follows: