There is concern over increased flooding in the Tunapuna community, particularly in Macoya and El Dorado.
Residents yesterday said infrastructural projects along the Eastern Main Road have not alleviated the problem, as floodwaters are still rising rapidly during brief periods of rainfall.
“We see work being done, but every time it rains heavily, the streets are flooded within minutes. The water has nowhere to go,” said a resident who has lived in the area for more than a decade.
Residents also complained about improper waste disposal. They called for more regular maintenance of drainage systems and better enforcement of anti-dumping laws.
Businessman Fred Boodoosingh, whose two properties are affected by the flooding, said: “With just ten minutes of rain, Tunapuna Road literally turns into a river. The flooding starts as far up as Sheriff Street and flows all the way down to the Main Road. The drains simply can’t handle the volume of water rushing down, and it’s not just a lot of water—it’s incredibly strong as well.”
He added, “Businesses along the East-West Corridor, heading west from Tunapuna Road, are particularly vulnerable. If they don’t have sandbags set up, they’re almost guaranteed to get flooded, forcing them to clean up afterward—even after just 15 minutes of rain.
“This has become the norm in Tunapuna. Almost every day, especially after lunch, we experience unexpected heavy rainfall that leads to flash flooding. It’s unclear why the weather patterns have shifted this way, but the constant rain has made the situation increasingly difficult for local businesses.”
Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation chairman Josiah Austin said the biggest problem is illegal dumping, which is exacerbating drainage issues and creating additional problems for flood mitigation efforts.
“Yes, we’ve had some blockages in the Caura area and along Freemont Road. We’ve encountered blockages at a few bridges there, but we assessed the situation and, within two days, removed the logs that were causing the obstruction,” he said.
“Unfortunately, some of the farmers in Upper Caura experienced damages, but we were able to step in as a Corporation and bring some remedial work to the area.
“Additionally, in the Freemont Road area, we cleared the bridge quickly with assistance from the Ministry of Works and Transport’s Drainage Division.”
He added, “We’ve been liaising with residents in several areas, identifying the perpetrators responsible for the issues, and we’re sending the necessary departments to address those situations. Where there is concern, we’re taking action to resolve it. Every Monday, we receive reports, and the number of cases is increasing, so we know the work is being done.”