The hills are falling!

JUST WEEKS after narrowly escaping Hurricane Ivan’s fury last September, TT began to get a beating from the weather as heavy, persistent rainfall triggered devastating landslides and floods in several parts of the country. Beginning in what should have been the closing stages of the rainy season last November, the downpours have continued into the dry season — the wettest one in recent memory — inflicting severe damage on the landscape and infrastructure in many parts of the country, as well as losses and inconvenience to residents.

The first and deadliest of the landslides struck East Tobago on November 21, claiming the lives of two persons and causing injury to several others, as well as major damage to homes and infrastructure in Delaford and surrounding communities. With frightening regularity since then, landslides have affected villages along Trinidad’s North Coast, Toco, Mamoral, Gasparillo, Morvant and Tobago. A series of major landslides along the North Coast Road earlier this month, left residents of six villages marooned without pipe borne water and electricity for several days. Late last week, Works Minister Franklin Khan announced plans for a $100 million landslide relief project. However, with no end in sight to the intense rainfalls, the very saturated hillsides remain vulnerable.

Geological data show that the trouble usually begins during heavy rainfall on steep slopes where shallow landslides liquefy and accelerate to speeds of between ten and 35 miles per hour. The consistency of the debris rages from watery mud to thick, rocky mud that can carry large items such as boulders, trees and cars. Debris flowing from many different sources can converge, thus increasing its destructive power. It continues flowing down hills and through channels, growing in volume with the addition of water, sand, mud, boulders, trees and other materials. On flatter ground the debris spreads over a broad area, accumulating in thick deposits that can wreak havoc in developed areas.

Landslides can also be triggered on hillsides denuded of vegetation as a result of bushfires and destructive slash and burn farming, as has been the case in some of the most devastating incidents over the years that have affected communities in the foothills of the Northern Range. According to the experts, areas most prone to landslides include those that have experienced landslides before and steep slopes. Persons living near areas prone to landslides are advised to be on the lookout for signs of an impending landslide, particularly in places where run-off water converges. Check hillsides for any signs of land movement, small landslides or debris-flow and progressively tilting trees.   

How to keep safe from a slide

If you are at the risk of landslides:
- Develop an evacuation plan. You should know where to go if you  have to leave. Trying to make plans at the last minute can be upsetting and create confusion.
- Discuss landslides and debris-flow with your family. Everyone should know what to do in case all family members are not together. Discussing disaster ahead of time helps reduce fear and lets everyone know how to respond during a landslide or debris-flow.
- If you are in areas susceptible to landslides and debris-flow, consider leaving if it is safe to do so. Remember that driving during an intense storm can be hazardous. Staying out of the path of a landslide or debris-flow saves lives.
- Listen for any unusual sounds that might indicate moving debris, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together. A trickle of lowing or falling mud or debris may precede larger landslides.
- Moving debris can flow quickly and sometimes without warning.  If you are near a stream or river, be alert for any sudden increase or decrease in water flow and for a change from clear to  muddy water. Such changes may indicate landslide activity  upstream, so be prepared to move quickly. Don’t delay! Save yourself, not your belongings.
- Be especially alert when driving. Embankments along roadsides are particularly susceptible to landslides. Watch the road for  collapsed pavement, mud, fallen rocks, and other indications of  possible debris flows.

What to do during a landslide:
- Quickly move out of the path of the landslide or debris-flow. Moving away from the path of the flow to a stable area would reduce  your risk.
- If escape is not possible, curl into a tight ball and protect your  head. A tight ball will provide the best protection for your body.

What to do after a landslide:
- Stay away from the slide area. There may be danger of additional slides.
- Check for injured and trapped persons near the slide, without entering the direct slide area.
- Help a neighbour who may require special assistance—infants, elderly people, and people with disabilities. Elderly people and people with disabilities may require additional assistance. People who care for them or who have large families may need additional assistance in emergency situations.
- Watch for flooding, which may occur after a landslide or debris-flow. Floods sometimes follow landslides and debris- flow because they may both be started by the same event.
- Check the building foundation, and surrounding land for damage. Damage to foundations or surrounding land may help you assess the safety of the area.
- Replant damaged ground as soon as possible since erosion caused by loss of ground cover can lead to flash flooding.