Trinidad is an island afloat, with the North and South districts virtually cutoff from each other with inundated roadways and many districts in North Central South East and West are covered in flood
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Landlocked hilly areas |
waters with thousands isolated and cut off as waters rose and rivers overflowed.
Citizens are calling for relief supplies and relief and evacuation and communication plans to kick in, and for call centres that may take reports of persons in crisis and danger and in need.
Meanwhile warnings have been issued to all to have an evacuation plan and disaster elements in place as the situation is likely to get worst.
It is like watching a disaster unfold in slow motion and evokes images of the recent devastating floods in Texas, USA and Kerala, India as the rains began mid-week and with the island already saturated, floods warnings on high alert for the next few days
It is the worst and most extensive floods I have seen in more than three decades of covering the national landscapes and appeals for sustaianble actions and promotion of environmental friendly practices from households to planners: see articles and columns re Environment Friendly this page.
Following three days of heavy rainfall, and more forecasted, with anticipation that the flood waters will continue to rise and crisis. Persons can post their photos and brief descriptive notes of their situation in the comments section of this blog or its social media links where it appears (while anger and frustration levels may be high, please confine posts to alerts and updates to your situations). In some instances water rose to roofs, while for others the rooftops were the only sanctuary as the waters climbed.
Though north to south I have reports from friends and others who are watching in despair as the flood waters claim vehicles and property.
And although the sun has come out this morning, the waters are expected to continue to rise, and would be agravated with high tides.
Aerial and local images from photographer Kenrick Ramjit and friends and relatives show all parts of the country extensively under water.
Several of the major highways and roadways across the country are impassable in parts. Two-way traffic is being facilitated in the North bound lane of the Uriah Butler Highway as parts ofthe south bound lane in the Munroe Road district is inundated. The east, is cut off, with most of Sangre Grande under water, the waters making the Valencia stretch impassable. The coastal district of Mayaro district. Other images show the airport district of St Helena and Kelly Village to the north was inundated and areas around the Caroni River basin was under water.
In the north, major roadways from the North west, Diego Martin, Maraval, Santa Cruz, though the East West Corridor from Laventille through San Juan, Tunapuna, to Tumpuna/Arima were also covered. Similar reports from central and south Trinidad and persons are advised to stay indoors, close to home or check the accessibility of routes before venturing out.
While the rains, high winds and choppy waters are forecasted by the Met Office to continue with red level flood warnings. Landslide warnings are also in effect.
Friday (November 19) saw nearly 75 mm of rain precipitation at the data collecting station at Piarco, Trinidad and 45m at Crown Point, Tobago. Similar weather is forecasted for tomorrow, Sunday November 21 and Monday Nov 22 2018 in into the week.
Many families across Trinidad are already marooned and stranded, some have climbed to their rooftops to escape flood waters which are reaching up to several feet into their homes, bedrooms and living rooms making these inhabitable. Many people are appealing to the emergency response and systems to move into high gear to treat with persons trapped by the waters and otherwise made victims of the high winds and torrential rains creating this national emergency.
Accordingto the Met Office, "Currently river levels have exceeded threshold levels and some have already over-spilled their banks. Additional rainfall is expected hence river levels will remain at an elevated level over the next several days Riverine flooding occurs when water levels in a river over-tops its banks and spills onto surrounding areas. This type of flooding is more widespread and usually lasts for several days."
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Cars inundated in Kelly Village Caroni.
Photo: Phulmatie Bachoo |
It advised that houseolds make preparations "to protect life, livelihood and property especially those residing along the Caroni River Basin. Be on the alert for rising river levels and possible over-spill. Do not take unnecessary risks. There is a very high potential for major damage to property and infrastructure and for mulitple lives to be lost. It is advised to stay indoors until the all clear is given by government officials."
From reports, the floods continue to rise after days of heavy showers from a weather system known as the Inter-Topical convergence Zone (ITCZ), which generates thunderstorms and rains with aligned flooding in susceptible areas.
The National Meteorological Office forecast for Saturday November 20 has a red level flood warning and orange level adverse water alert. It states: Cloudy to overcast with periods of showers or rain over broad areas, some heavy and thundery in few areas. GUSTY WINDS, STREET/FLASH FLOODING IS LIKELY IN AREAS OF HEAVY SHOWERS/THUNDERSTORMS! Remarks: Adverse Weather Alert In Effect: Orange Level! Riverine Flood Alert In Effect: Red Level!
For Sunday and Monday (Nov 21-22), the Met Office forecasts "Cloudy to overcast with periods of showers or rain over broad areas, some heavy and thundery in few areas ."
From the southern end of the island, the MP for Mayaro, noted:
Mayaro is totally cut off at this time: Naparima Mayaro Road, the Mafeking Area, Poole Valley - Guayaguayare Roa , Plum Mitan, Sangre Chiquito were impassable; Cedar Grove was totally cut off,; waters were rising n Biche/Navet area and there was no acces to Sangre Grande from the north-south access road from Manzanilla. For assistance PLEASE CALL 800-4MRC
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Tis school ceiling in Princes Town
was an early victim of torrential rains |
The Chairman of the Princes Town Regional Corporation, Gowrie Roopnarine has advised the public to "avoid using the Sisters Road, Hardbargain area, as the water is over three feet high. He claims it is the worst flooding since 2010. "I cannot enter into the side roads, it is impassable at the moment, as soon as the water subsidies I will be meeting with the villagers to see how I can assist."
Demokrissy appeals: Pls reach out to someone victim of floods.. this video reflects inundation of large parts of the island. .its weekend and your day off yes but appealing to State agencies and emergency relief systems to get into full action mode help fellow citizens in distress
Sharing some aerial and local images from photographer/videographer Kenrick Ramjit.
Aerial videos can be seen through these links:
Background:
|
Met Office Red Alert Riverine flood warning for Trinidad |
On Thursday Nov 18 the Met Office issued an orange level weather alert and red level riverine warning of dangers that may arising from an active ITCZ system that will continue to produce periods of rain/showers and thunderstorm activity which can lead to flash or riverine flooding as well as landslides/landslips in areas so prone. Gusty winds can be experienced in the vicinity of heavy downpours.
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About Me. My Photo · Kris Rampersad. Media, Cultural and Literary Consultant,
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