Floods ravage east, north and central Trinidad

TRINIDAD - The rainfall that cause a historic level of flooding in parts of north and central Trinidad largely spared the south part of the island. Chairman for the Siparia Regional Corporation Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh on Saturday said though there was heaving rainfall and flash flooding overnight, most have subsided. He said the San Francique area was flooded and relief efforts were being coordinated to assist those in need. Water levels within the Princes Town Regional Corporation districts were also dropping and residents are engaged in clean-up operations. Impacted communities included Hardbhargain, Sisters Road, Nivert Trace, Fourth Company, Duff Road, Seenarine Trace, Old Eckles Village Road, Fairfield and parts of Reform. Resident Dharmendra Dookoo of Harbhargain said there was over three feet of water inside his home which has now receded. He said though he has lost thousands of dollars in water damages to appliances, clothing and food items, he is thankful his family is safe. Dookoo said the last time he experienced extreme flooding was in 2010 and since then, he has prepared himself for flood. “When we got the last flood, it wasn’t as high as this but I prepared since then for flooding but it wasn’t enough. The water came and it was more than expected, I would say it was an unusual rainfall we got this time. We lost many things to our home and now it is time to clean out everything. Many things I will have to throw away like food stuff and clothing because its soaked in the flood waters. It is really a terrible thing when someone gets flood like this”, he said. Moruga MP Dr Lovell Francis said despite the heavy rainfall, “we have been spared the worst”.

MP Francis also made an appeal for the public to donate foodstuff and cleaning items to others who experienced flooding. “Last year when we were in crisis, people from all over Trinidad and Tobago donated considerably to assist us. So it is only right that we do the same in a time of widespread need. Though what we have may be small, it is never too little to share. So I am requesting dried or tinned foodstuffs cleaning paraphernalia and water so we can send to communities in need”, he said. In the Penal/ Debe area, several drains and waterways were filled to capacity.

(Trinidad & Tobago Express)