Monster waves flood Las Cuevas

Villagers of Las Cuevas scampered for safety on Tuesday afternoon, when monster waves struck the tranquil coastline of North Trinidad causing fear and destruction. Fishermen looked on in horror as the huge waves measuring as high as ten feet submerged boats anchored close to the shoreline at the Las Cuevas Fishing facility. Nets as well as buckets filled with fishes were washed away. The roaring sea caused Las Cuevas villagers to fear that a tsunami was about to immerse their village. For more than one hour, the monster waves continued to pound the beachfront at Las Cuevas and the fishing port. Fishermen said that it was the first time that they witnessed such a scene and added that the fear of being washed away by the waves caused panic.

Some fishermen looked on as the waves capsized and sank their boats that were anchored out at sea. More than 20 fishing boats and engines were immersed. The fishermen are now seeking compensation for their losses and added that the price of fish could increase in the next few days because of the lost boats and nets. Joycelyn McLean, the owner of a bar at the Las Cuevas beach, said that she remained in fear, as she looked on at the monster waves thrashing the anchored boats like paper in the rough sea. The waves reached close to her bar, but she prayed and hoped for the best. Apart from being marooned in the village by more than 60 landslides, villagers in seven of the fishing villages were forced to stay at home between Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon.

They added that if they were forced to flee from a tsumani, they could not get out because of fallen trees and dirt from the landslides. Residents remained without electricity and drinking water as a result of persistent rainfall on Tuesday night. Villagers collected rain water which they used to drink. Others with a direct connection from springs to their homes were not seriously affected. Also affected were two bake and shark booths which remained flooded at Maracas Bay.

Roger Ganesh, acting Director of Highways, said yesterday that the North Coast Road will remain open to utility vehicles and villagers who need to get in and out. He said that all the debris caused by the landslides have been cleared and headvised persons who have no urgent business along the North Coast Road to desist from driving there. Ganesh pointed out that restoration work would take at least one month at a cost of approximately $2 million. Yesterday, Minister of Works and Transport Franklin Khan viewed the destruction from a helicopter. He is expected to submit a report on the damage to Prime Minister Patrick Manning.