Landslide alert!

The likelihood of severe landfalls and road slippage occurring in Trinidad, as a result of the heavy November rains is not too far-fetched, says Meteorological Service and Environmental Management Authority officials. And areas where rapid, large-scale construction of corporate and housing projects are taking place, may be prime targets. According to EMA spokesperson, Alicia Charles, the Environmental Management Authority is very concerned about the rapid development taking place and the cutting down of the hills across Trinidad and Tobago, especially in the west. Large-scale development include government and private housing projects in Diego Martin and Cocorite among other industrial projects in these areas. Charles said that as a result of the deforestation, the topsoil was being eroded and there was no buffer to protect low-lying areas.

She said that it was the EMA’s responsibility to ensure that persons who are granted Certificates of Environmental Clearance (Act of 2001) remain within the specifications of the rules. “This helps us to guide different developments so that no long term effects or damage will occur,” Charles said. Althouth the meteorological office has described the heavy showers experienced over the last weekend as normal and consistent with the ITCZ (Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone), there were reports of landslides and flooded drains in Diego Martin, primarily in Bagatelle, Simeon  Road and Patna Village. Speaking to Sunday Newsday, Personal Adviser to Minister of Trade Ken Valley and member of the Diego Martin Central constituency Mr Sheppard said that visits to the flooded areas after the waters subsided revealed the prevalence of plastic bottles and other debris in the streets and drains. “But the URP was on the ball and they did a good job of cleaning up,” Sheppard said.

He said, however, that residents in his area complained of problems experienced from the cutting of trees on the hills by private contractors. One member of the Diego Martin West constituency said that a recurring problem in Richplain was that of storm water. He said that homeowners who fail to place guttering on their roofs contributed to the poor drainage problem. “When it rains, the water gushes down from those houses on the hills into the yards of their neighbours and comes right down not only causing landslides but also does damage to homes,” he said. One such matter where a resident’s home was damaged has been referred to the Diego Martin Regional Coporation. He said that areas often affected by storm water are Scorpion Village and Covigne Road. “It is until we learn the value of our environment and sensitise citizens to the effects of their actions.

A lot of it (landslide) is manmade. The acts of God may be excessive but we are the ones doing the damage,” said Minister in the Ministry of Trade, Diane Seukeran who has initiated a reafforestation drive along the nothern and southern ranges. “When you look at the northern range you have to worry. The entire mud slides are caused by the cutting down of the trees. Trees are not just there for beauty, they hold the soil. You should not cut a cedar or mahoghany without approaching the Agriculture Ministry. Even parts along the South Trunk Road in San Fernando is slipping. “We can’t go about building on a river bank and this is being done all over the country along the three main rivers — the Cipero, Vistabella and Marabella in the south. We are noticing illegal squatting where people are not getting planning approval, and no drainage approval,” Seukeran added. “CEPEP is not about just cutting the grass at the side of the road. It is about cleaning the rivers, it is a complete environment drive.

These are problems that can be solved. It is for each of us to care about our own country.” She said that littering was also a prime cause flooding in many areas. Persistent heavy rains last weekend, wreaked havoc in Tobago causing major landslides and even death. In one village, a man was trapped in his house which was covered by a landslide. Landfall dotted the Windward Main Road leading to the east end of the island; long stretches of the road were completely covered by mud and slush leaving little trace of shrub. Landslides were also reported in the northern end of the island in Castara. In the western end of Tobago, there was flooding in low-lying areas, including Carnbee and Canaan/Bon Accord. Homes along the Speyside and Delaford area were left without electricity and telecommunication. Meteorological office officials anticipate a significant increase in moisture and rainfall over Trinidad and Tobago this weekend.

In an advisory, it was indicated that rainfall would exceed 50mm, which can lead to floods and the possibility of land and mudslides depending on the areas of heaviest rainfall and other environmental conditions. Climatologist Ezekiel Sampson maintained that the heavy rainfall this month is not unusual and is consistent with November weather patterns over the years. He said, however, that landslides were mainly caused by land development, improper drainage and lack of planning. He provided statistics on the average mean rainfall during November from 1961 to 1990, which he said was 227.8mm. The average mean rainfall for November at Piarco for 2004, ranges 217-237mm.