chester.sambrano@guardian.co.tt
Citizens are being told they must now adapt to the flooding situation affecting this country.
Over the weekend there were several reports of flooding, particularly in areas in east and south Trinidad.
Speaking on CNC3’s The Morning Brew yesterday Senior Disaster Management Coordinator at the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government, Jerry David said because of climate change and other factors, flooding has become a worldwide phenomenon even with all the new science and planning taking place.
He said here in Trinidad and Tobago it is no different.
“We would have to learn to adapt.”
He added, “If there is a fight between man and nature you know nature will win.”
He said now people must not only adapt but be vigilant so that recovery could take place.
“If it is that every two years you are being impacted by this level of water and the water is entering your home and it is destroying your fabric furniture, and many people have fabric furniture; it’s the modern way to have furniture, but perhaps it’s time to adapt more and get different furniture.”
David said increased rainfall aside, there are issues such as unplanned developments and indiscriminate dumping of garbage in watercourses that need to be dealt with.
For its part, he said the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government has been setting up community emergency response teams where it trains people to recognize, respond and recover from hazards.
He also praised the Ministry of Works and Transport for the work done to major watercourses which resulted in less flooding in traditional flood-prone areas.
Two weekends ago line minister Rohan Sinanan conducted a tour to areas Gasparillo, Arouca and Maloney Trinidad which never had an issue with flooding prior to this rainy season.
He said more enforcement will be done to prevent people from diverting waterways. Sinanan also said the relationship between Town and Country Planning and the Drainage Department of his ministry needs to be reviewed moving forward.