Time to plug flooding

The fact is, flooding in this country has been a problem for decades now. For most of those decades, it is the People’s National Movement which has been in government. But the flooding situation, far from improving, has only gotten worse. The Central region, long accustomed to such events, continues to be hard hit. The streets of Port- of-Spain continue to be turned into streams every time there is heavy rainfall. In areas which have experienced flooding on occasion, the waters now come more frequently and higher. But there are other areas, which have never before experienced flooding, now seeing this event for the first time. What is going on?

It is not that the rains have gotten significantly heavier nor that the weather patterns have changed. Nor does it seem adequate to blame people for throwing rubbish into watercourses, although flooding would surely be eased if this lazy habit could be curtailed. But the human presence is surely a key factor. One area which experienced bad flooding for the first time was the Trincity Mall and, over the past few years, the mall itself and the surrounding area have seen significant building construction. Indeed, the area has been rapidly transformed from a lower-middle class area to an upper-middle and upper-class one. And it seems likely that there is a connection between this new construction and new flooding.

This could mean that the company responsible for the construction did not adequately anticipate the problem of drainage. It could also mean that the Town and Country Division did not do its job properly. But the Trincity area is not unique. One new NHA housing project in Central Trinidad was also flooded out — an event that had the homeowners especially incensed since they had specifically been reassured before purchasing the houses that that area did not flood. Just about the only bright spot was in the village of St Helena, long a centre for flooding, where the dredging of the Caroni river apparently eased the situation considerably.

And this raises the large question — is it that there are no engineering solutions to this perennial problem? Given that former Works Minister Franklin Khan promised significant easing within three years, and given the St Helena experience, it would seem that there are specific measures which can be implemented. The capital city and environs pose a different challenge, but there must be drainage construction available which can ensure that Port-of- Spain will not flood save in the most unusual weather conditions.

Such major works across the country will, we realise, be very expensive. But, if there is one thing the Manning administration has made clear, it is that we have the money. In any case, not undertaking flood prevention and not enforcing construction codes will surely be more costly in the long run.