RADHICA DE SILVA
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
Rescue teams are now in place at low-lying areas of the South Oropouche where it is expected there will be massive floods as a disorganized weather system now called Potential Tropical Cyclone 2, passes over Trinidad and Tobago tonight.
Speaking to Guardian Media on Tuesday morning, Chairman of the Penal/Debe Regional Corporation Dr Allen Sammy said a truck and a crew will be stationed along the Penal Rock Road tonight to evacuate residents if the floods begin to rise uncontrollably.
He said two dinghies donated by the United States Embassy are also on standby to be used by the rescue teams.
"We tested the dinghies last week and we have put backhoes, trucks and other machinery on standby to take people out," Dr Sammy said.
He noted that all of the rescue personnel have received CERT training.
"We have also identified four shelters and we are looking for a fifth. They are stocking up those shelters today with food items. We have made contact in the groceries, and we have been liaising with the army, fire and police. The network has been put in place and they are all standing by so we will be ready," Dr Sammy added.
He said there will also be a team at the Corporation yard to coordinate and provide whatever is necessary to assist people if there is a need.
Meanwhile, the president of the South Oropouche Riverine Flood Action Group (SORFA) Edward Moodie said he was worried that because of the dysfunctional sluice gates, there could be a problem if there is extensive rainfall and a rising tide.
"We are going to the key areas at Tulsa Trace to visit the Kalco pump site. In Suchit Trace and Woodland, two pumps were flown in by the Ministry of Works and one is being installed at the Kalco site," he said.
However, Moodie explained that the pump cannot work by itself.
"It has to work with a bank that was broken down and dug out. The sluice gate has to be effective. The sluice gates are leaking badly and even if it is closed, water is still flowing through," he added.
He said the bank along the Coromata River which runs alongside Suchit Trace has not yet been rebuilt.
Moodie said his team from the Woodland Flood Action Committee, SORFA and other community groups will also be on standby to assist.
At 7:30 am on Tuesday, the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service updated its Orange Level Tropical Storm Warning ahead of the passage of Potential Tropical Cyclone #2 (TC#2).
The public is being warned to prepare for the passage of the weather system.