The Diego Martin Regional Corporation ran out of sandbags yesterday morning as consistent rains pounded Western Trinidad as Tropical Storm Karen made its passage just above Trinidad and Tobago.
When Guardian Media arrived at the Regional Corporation’s disaster management centre at Orchid Drive, Petit Valley at noon on Sunday, the security immediately informed us that they were out of sandbags.
Fortunately, while the Diego Martin river appeared very close to bursting its banks on numerous occasions, flooding in Diego Martin and Petit Valley was largely reduced to incidents of flash flooding in those areas.
“We have been having continuous heavy drizzle, the water levels in the river have not risen to overflow it’s banks as yet because the tides are out. The reports are coming very slowly but we have had a couple of landslips and a couple of fallen trees,” said Kevin Vincent, the disaster management coordinator.
Vincent confirmed that some homes however at West Ridge Villas in Diego Martin were affected by flooding as the water came down from the hillside into their apartments.
He explained, however, the regional corporation could do little until the runoff subsided.
“Behind the West Ridge Villas, nothing could be done about that because the water was still gushing from the hillside,” he said.
Vincent said there were reports that the Western Main Road in Cocorite was impassible, however, Guardian Media only saw leftover debris when we passed in that area.
Floodwaters were particularly noticeable in the main road near Quarry Street in Diego Martin, and while some ravines in Bagatelle spilled onto the roadway, some residents took the opportunity to walk out in the rain to the Diego Martin Sporting Complex to play football.
Vincent confirmed that there were also reports of a bamboo tree collapsing in Carenage which required heavy equipment to clear.
In Maraval, there were several reports of flash flooding, with the Saddle road flooded at various points.
Residents of La Seiva also reported a landslide in the area.
