Heavy showers, high tides and swollen rivers were being blamed for flooding in the Sangre Grande district yesterday. Residents, pedestrians and students braved flood waters after heavy rain over the past two days. Truck drivers helped pedestrians and schoolchildren to dry land as flood waters reached a depth of approximately four feet along the Toco Main Road. Fruit trees and garden crops were under water and some animals were standing on high ground as the Vega de Oropouche and Sangre Grande Rivers burst their banks.
In an interview at his Toco Road home, amputee Fitzgerald Lewis said his house flooded every time it rained. “All the time it does this. Every time it rains it gets higher. All my red sand and gravel wash away. I had a whole load there,” he said, pointing. “I need help to full the land and I need material. That is most important. “Nobody came around to offer any help,” he added. Matthew Raicomas said he lost the majority of his Christmas livestock. He was wading in waters near his home.
“I had two dozen chickens and 15 ducks and they drowned. My washing machine spoil and my ply get soak. I was doing an extension on my house. I couldn’t come out. The water was knee-deep and I couldn’t go to work,” he said. Marsha Seetal said the area was flooded since Tuesday night.
“The water was higher and now it is at a standstill. We had to move the dogs from the back because their kennel is underwater,” she said. Seetal said her relatives were unable to leave the house to go to work or school. Ramharak Sanka said his house was a “pool” right now. Sanka and other residents were standing on a bridge looking at the waters while some tried to catch fish. “I living in a pool down there right now. It has been flooding for two nights now and it is high tide,” he said.
River flood warning
The Meteorological Office issued a riverine flood alert for Trinidad, in light of the rainfall associated with the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone An information bulletin on its Web site said reports indicated that water levels in the Caroni Basin were significantly high and might reach threshold levels because of runoff from the current and expected continued rainfall activity. Although water levels in the primary Caroni River remained contained, there was likely to be a gradual increase, it said.
“Meteorological forecasts indicate further rainfall activity is expected over the next 12-24 hours with rainfall accumulation anticipated to be between 20-50 millimetres in some areas, the bulletin added. Given the additional rainfall predicted for T&T and the occurrence of high tides at 11.30 am today, the possibility of river overtopping is real and imminent, it said. “As opposed to street/flash flooding, riverine flooding can be more extensive and prolonged,” the bulletin said.
The ODPM, as the national disaster office, up to late yesterday evening was monitoring the situation and had alerted all first responder agencies so that those affected would get help. The bulletin added that T&T was not under any tropical storm threat, watch or warning. Caribbean Airlines has advised passengers booked to travel to or from New York today of alternative arrangements in place to facilitate rescheduling of flights due to bad weather.
Flood safety tips:
• Remain vigilant and cautious. If you are affected contact the ODPM’s customer care centre at 511.
• Elevate valuables and place important documents in sealed containers or bags.
• Do not walk/drive through flood waters.
• Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
