SHASTRI BOODAN
Vegetable prices just may increase should a tropical storm hit Trinidad and Tobago, is one major concern raised by vendors at the Couva Market.
Speaking today with Guardian Media, market vendors Shastri Harricharan and Parbattie Ramkhelewan, said consumers started flocking to the market very early to stock up on vegetables.
Harricharan admitted the wholesale prices of some items already had increased within the past two weeks. He said “
“If there are floods that affect where farmers produce, there would be a shortage and prices would increase,” he warned. “Some produce, such as cabbages and tomatoes, are imported; but most vegetables are grown locally.”
Consumer Nadia Maraj, told Guardian Media: “Prices are already high, so I don’t know how some people would manage if heavy rains caused damage to crops.”
White Candles sold out quickly. [Image by SHASTRI BOODAN]
Most of the major groceries in Central Trinidad had long lines today, and consumers instead opted to shop at some of the smaller community supermarkets.
At Sam’s Supersavers on the Exchange Road, staff said people were stocking up on bread, bottled water, salted biscuits, canned goods and candles. All of the white candles and bread was sold out and consumers had a choice of black, yellow or green candles.
Aziz Mohammed stocks up on Crix salted biscuits and sardines. [Image by SHASTRI BOODAN]
Aziz Mohammed, a resident of Roystonia, said he was looking for items such as sardines, crix and peanut butter, since these items were easy to prepare and require no cooking.
Anisa Balroop said she too was looking for canned goods and snacks.
“The bigger groceries are jam-packed, and we have to take what we get here,” she said.
Alana Martin expressed disappointment that bread was sold-out.
“I am not feeling to mix flour,” Martin admitted, noting that she was stocking up on snacks and other smaller items.
Rattan Ramroop and his granddaughter Meera Ramsingh purchase bread at Chins Supermarket, Perseverance, Couva. [Image by SHASTRI BOODAN]
Hardware dealers said sales were normal and there was no rush for items. One dealer told us people are not willing to spend upwards of $300 for a sheet of plywood to board up windows. He said the cost of construction lumber, including local lumber, had skyrocketed during the pandemic making it impossible for many people to expend funds to board up their windows.
“Many people, including public sector workers, have not gotten their salaries, so many are cash strapped at this time… This storm come before mmonth-end,” Rogers Gopaul, a resident of Mc Bean, said.
At Carli Bay, fishermen had to wait until the tide was high to take out their boats.
Fisherman Amir Mohammed said the boats would have to be anchored offshore, as vessels cannot be drydocked onshore. He explained that sudden swells or high waves may knock around the boats and damage them if they are stored onshore.
Fisherman Amir Mohammed mends nets at Carli Bay as he awaits high tide to take his boat offshore to anchor during the storm. [Image by SHASTRI BOODAN]
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Region Corporation (CTTRC), Henry Awong told Guardian Media that the CTTRC has sand stored at various points of the region. He said they began their emergency measures for the rainy seasons since mid-June.
Awong said he had called on burgesses to secure their roofs with hurricane straps.
“In the event persons were unable to secure their roofs, the CTTRC has stocked up on tarpaulins and mattresses,” he said.
He also reported that chainsaws, water pumps and heavy equipment—along with the CTTRC’s district response teams—are in place.
Chaguanas Mayor Faaiq Mohammed told Guardian Media the Borough Corporation moved to ensure sandbags would be at councillors’ offices and at the CBC’s offices, as well.
Mayor Mohammed said the CBC was clearing drains at Caroni Savannah Road and Cunupia that are prone to flooding. He also reported that Borough’s Disaster Management Unit has tarpaulins and mattresses in stock.
“I am asking burgesses to be pro-active and be cautious. Do not venture outside and into floodwaters,” the mayor appealed to burgesses.
Mayor Mohammed said the CBC was willing to assist other regional bodies.