Otto Carrington
Many of the villagers along the Manzanilla/Mayaro Road have reportedly refused to evacuate despite assistance offered to help them get out of their flood-ravaged homes.
Some have even opted to stay in structures that are currently not sound.
The Manzanilla/Mayaro Road has been closed to all vehicular traffic since last week. Since then, parts of the road have been sinking into the nearby ocean.
The brother of a villager along the road, Garnet Moller, unsuccessfully tried to persuade his sister Carol, who is in her 60s, to leave her collapsing house on Monday.
Garnet Moller was in Manzanilla as early as 6 am with the support of police and fire officers. However, they could not persuade Carol Moller to evacuate.
“She believes that she is safe there and once you think you are safe, I don’t know what to say. I have been here since 8 am and I must say thanks to all these people here because they made a very gallant effort. She still does not want to come out, her mind is set to stay there,” Garnet Moller said, adding, “I would not sleep comfortably till that water comes down and her house is safe.”
He said the house is on the verge of collapsing.
“My sister wants to stay in a house next to hers and her two-story house, if it collapses, will fall on that house but she does not want to leave. Nobody is to blame right now, it will only be her as we tried to get her out,” he said.
The Manzanilla/Mayaro Road, within a week, has deteriorated even more, as the sea and river undermined the roadway and in some areas, coconut trees have fallen into the sea.
Sangre Grande Regional Corporation chariman Anil Juteram was on hand to assist those who needed to be evacuated and was hurt some did not comply.
“It is very disappointing that despite all the resources, villagers opting to stay and endanger themselves,” he said.
Juteram said his region has been badly affected.
So far, many homes in the region have been affected and assessments are being conducted to help many, but this will be done when the water subsides.