Heavy rains cause floods, landslides

Deputy CEO Dave Williams told Newsday yesterday that the reports were made by the Diego Martin, San Juan/Laventille and Tunapuna/Piarco Regional corporations and the San Fernando City Corporation

The issues, he said, did not warrant the ODPM’s intervention and were dealt with by the corporations

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Service (TTMS), in a bulletin, said yesterday’s cloudy conditions with periods of heavy showers accompanied by gusty winds, thunder and lightning in Trinidad were due to an active Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)

The conditions, which were expected to continue into this morning, are expected to improve by this afternoon

The ITCZ is a belt of low pressure which circles the earth, generally near the equator ,where the trade winds of the northern and southern hemispheres come together

It is characterised by convective activity, which often generates thunderstorms over large areas

The TTMS said the ITCZ was being enhanced by favourable upper-level conditions in the atmosphere

Given the forecast and the fact that the country is in the middle of the rainy season, the Met Office is advising people to be vigilant

The TTMS also reminded that with the rainy season in effect, people must take adequate preparations to preserve life and property against adverse weather conditions

It added, however, “We wish to underscore that at this time Trinidad and Tobago is not under any tropical threat, watch or warning.” The current weather is not related to the hurricanes Irma or Jose

The TTMS warned of the possibility of electrical discharges from thunderclouds

Owing to the heavy showers or thundershowers, the TTMS warned of possible street and flash flooding, and landslides and landslips in hilly areas