By Chantalé Fletcher
RESIDENTS of Beetham Gardens experienced heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms associated with an active Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and faced problems with the installation of water lines which contributed to flooding on Wednesday.
Anderson Wilson, a resident of Beetham Gardens, described the floods as the worst since he lived within the community.
In a video call with AZPNEWS.com, high waters were seen in streets, 9, 10, 11 and 13 respectively within the area, as stated by Wilson.
He said, “Since Tuesday, waters were present but with Wednesday’s downpour of heavy showers, it became worse with the sinkhole. It’s just terrible.”
A female resident, who wished to remain anonymous pleaded with the authorities to address the situation.
She said,” Water had been in the kitchen since morning, even before the rains and now there’s a lot of sewage in people’s homes and filth.
“A WASA truck pass, no kind of working on for the whole day, since yesterday. Why is this situation not being delt with?” So now we walking in (shit) and they give us all the reasons to wear masks.”
Around 10.02 pm on Wednesday, the San Juan\Laventille Regional Corporation Chairman Anthony Roberts contacted AZPNEWS.com.
He said, “I was advised that there is a problem with one of the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) installations, and they are currently attending to it.”
Roberts said, “When WASA has completed their work, the corporation will ensure that the area is cleaned and sanitised.”
MP for the area Fitzgerald Hinds did not respond to a WhatsApp message.
Other parts of the country also experienced floods such as the Arima Old Road, Eastern Main Road in Arouca and Western Main Road, Carenage.
Tobago also felt the effects of the ITCZ.
The Tobago Emergency Management agency (TEMA) reported damage of two vehicles due to a collapsed concreate wall Philadelphia Trace, Whim.
TEMA stated that the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) visited the families and conducted preliminary damage assessment. A backhoe will assist in the removal of the vehicles and debris.
