Jet stream cause of rainy weather

It has been reported that communities from Manzanilla to Mayaro, Plum Mitan Road, Edward Street in Port-of-Spain, Gill and Bowman Road, Crapaud Flats, and Navet were under flood waters after the heavy rains during the past 48 hours.

The Office of Disaster Preparedness Management (ODPM) has further advised that citizens living in low lying and flood prone areas should take the necessary precautions. The public was also advised to move to high ground if their space is threatened by flood waters. There are other guidelines to the public from the ODPM. It suggests that people in flooded areas should also turn off all utilities at the main switch if evacuation becomes necessary; do not touch any electrical equipment unless it is in a dry area; remove all valuables and store in a plastic bag; do not attempt to cross any stretch of flood waters on foot especially if the water is above the knees; do not drive in your car if waters are more than two feet high, and do not go sightseeing in flooded areas. The Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation has reported that El Carmen, St Helena, areas surrounding the cremation site at Caroni and Tranchrill Road are under water, while Kelly Village, Kelly Gardens and Siewnarine Trace are under immediate threat.

Residents are advised to take necessary precautions and place their household items on higher ground.

The Fire Service Headquarters also reported four calls of flooding in Plaisance Road, Mayaro, South Oropouche, Moruga, and the East Dry River. Ambulance services, Coast Guard, Defence Force and the Red Cross Society were put on alert in the affected areas since Tuesday.

However, the fast ferry service resumed yesterday after being ground to a halt because of inclement weather on Tuesday, according to Port Authority Public Relations Officer, Betty Ann Gibbons. Meteorologist Simon Alexander cited the presence of a jet stream in the atmosphere in which moisture across the continent is trapped, resulting in rain. "It could occur anytime we are in transition to the Dry Season, and it has been wetter than normal. We expect this weather to improve by Thursday into Friday." He added that the official start of the Dry Season is from January to June, but there is also a transition period from the Wet Season into the Dry Season.

In a release, the Ministry of Health stated that with its current flood advisory, the public should boil all drinking water and pay attention to all food items that may have come into contact with the flood waters. Non-perishable items should be stored above flood level, and perishable items, including canned food with missing labels, should be destroyed.