Flood havoc in East Trinidad

An aerial survey by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) revealed that Matelot, Valencia, Cumaca, Manuel Congo, San Rafael, Vega de Oropouche and in Tobago, Mason Hall, Scarborough, North and Windward Road, were the most affected

A situation report from the regional corporations and National Helicopter Services noted a number of landslides in the Hollis Dam area. The road is impassable and four employees were marooned.

Food and other supplies were airlifted by the helicopters for people in those areas.

Many homes at Fishing Pond, east of Sangre Grande, were flooded and the Vega de Oropouche river overflowed its banks. Numerous homes were under three to four feet of water.

Several people were airlifted out of those areas.

Small landslides occurred west of Toco, Matelot and Grand Riviere, and San Souci Village was flooded.

San Raphael Road, near La Horquetta, was under water and a large truck was stuck in the road.

Relief operations have been pre-activated and a shelter assessment has been coordinated and those shelters will be opened as recommended by the regional corporations.

A release from the ODPM revealed that NGOs are on standby to provide assistance as needed and priority has been given to search and rescue.

The Defence Force, Fire Service and regional corporations will also assist, as well as the Ministry of Works and Transport. TTEC and WASA are also responding to the flooding.

By 4 pm yesterday, villagers of Caroni and surrounding areas were preparing for more flooding.

Yesterday, the Caroni River had burst its banks by midday, spilling water onto the road.

Trantrill Road was impassable as a result of the flooding.

Officers of the Caroni Police Station placed sand bags at the entrance to the charge room to prepare for flooding, and the dogs housed there were removed.

In an update last night on the flooding, the ODPM said various streets in Penal and Debe were flooded. They included lower Barrackpore, Teemul Trace, La Fortune Pluck Road and surrounding areas. There were also landslips and flooding at Borde Narve, Fortune road and traces in Quinam and Morne Diablo.

Rochard/Barrackpore east it said, was being monitored for evacuation.

At Sangre Grande, the Matura Primary school is flooded out and being evacuated; the bridge to the Matelot school has been washed away, while there has been erosion at the Valencia Old Road Third Bridge. At Vega de Oropouche/Parry Village the river was rising and parts of the main road were impassable to motor vehicles. A similar situation at Fishing Pond and North Oropouche. Parts of the Valencia Stretch were also flooded. At Matura the roads are impassable

At Valencia a house near the Valencia River was washed away. The family of five was housed at the Valencia Community Centre. The Cumaca Road collapsed due to a landslide. Couva, Tabaquite and Talparo have also been seriously affected by flooding and landslides

The ODPM has alerted all Regional Corporations, the Fire Service and Defence Force to continue to respond to emergency needs.

The ODPM has also advised that members of the public seeking assistance should call the following numbers for assistance — 990 for Fire Service, and 999, the Police Service.

While water levels have dropped in some areas, the ODPM has cautioned that the Caparo and Caroni Rivers can rise later today.