The rainy season is upon us and as indicated by the Meteorological Office, this year’s forecast for the months of September to November is that TT is likely to experience above-normal rainfall.
This should come as no surprise this year,as during the rainy season, which is also hurricane season – June 1 to November 30 – five named storms have been predicted.
Various bodies such as the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government, the Ministry of Works and Transport, the regional corporations and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) are doing mitigation and preparation works for the anticipated rains. But covid19 hampers the process.
The restrictions have prevented groups within each body from carrying out the work necessary for flood mitigation, since people have been asked to stay away from the workplace or minimise their contact with others.
Senior disaster management co-ordinator at the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government Jerry David told Sunday Newsday that regional corporations have not been able to complete tasks within the designated periods.
“Covid19 has slowed down the requisite work to be completed, because people usually would have to be in close proximity to each other. The added restrictions have also made Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training difficult in communities, but we are trying to do it virtually."
David said while corporations have raised the issue of lack of funds, they have been trying to make do with what was available to them.
“Every corporation has experienced a reduction in their allocations because of the current economic climate that we face. Whatever resources we have, the 14 municipal corporations have been working with what they have to do as much as possible.”
He also added that in any case, “We will never be able to totally eliminate flooding in some communities because many communities were developed in areas that are flood plains.”
[caption id="attachment_894957" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Ministry of Works and Transport mechanical services division worker Jason Phillip operates a Watermaster - The Amphibious Multipurpose Dredger to clear the drains along the Beetham Highway - Jeff K. Mayers[/caption]
David said if people continued to get approval to build homes and businesses in areas that are susceptible to flooding, advances in sustainable development would be defeated, as there would be a never-ending cycle of people in distress.
“People have backfilled these areas to make it into housing areas, which has disturbed the natural watercourses, and these areas will remain vulnerable to flooding,” he said.
David noted, however, that there were some engineering solutions to flooding, but the relevant ministries needed to take more seriously a nationwide drainage and structural plan.
According to the Met Office there is potential for increased flooding, as experienced last weekend with the passage of a tropical wave.
Areas such as Guapo, Palo Seco, Penal Rock Road, San Juan, the Lady Young Road
