ODPM chief satisfied with relief response

CEO of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management Stephen Ramroop said yesterday he is satisfied with the overall response to disasters throughout the country as a consequence of yesterday's heavy showers. The rain poured almost ceaselessly from Thursday night and are expected to continue today, bringing with it flash flooding, thundershowers and gusty winds.

Yesterday's showers resulted in a landslide on Lady Young Road, Morvant, and the winds blew the roof off a sports club in Aranguez, San Juan, Ramroop said. He also said some streets in Port-of-Spain, including Henry Street, and some parts of south Trinidad experienced flash flooding. But, he said, agencies such as the Ministry of Works and local government disaster units responded quickly.

"There was no big impact on citizens," he added. The Met Office issued a bulletin at 1.43 pm yesterday saying there was an active Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone which will affect the country over the next four to six hours. The bulletin said, “Trinidad and Tobago are both experiencing cloudy to overcast conditions with showers and thundershowers which have been heavy at times.

“This is due to an active Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone or ITCZ. This inclement weather is forecast to persist for at least the next four to six hours with continuing showers and thundershowers as well as periods of rain. “Showers and thundershowers can be moderate to heavy and may be accompanied by gusty winds. Street/flash flooding is highly likely in heavy downpours.” The bulletin asked all citizens to exercise caution and to be vigilant.