Disaster Area in Trinidad & Tobago

Whilst my family and I are safe, the area in which I live has been declared a disaster area by the Prime Minister after two hours of heavy rains yesterday, caused untold damage.  Roads have disappeared, homes have been swept away, power lines were and still are down, communications via the main supplier are non existent. Many friends have been affected. Two that I know of to date have lost their homes and several have lost all their belongings.  One saw all her small appliances which she had put onto her mattress, washed away as the swirling waters took the bed and the mattress away.  Another, a very elderly lady whose home was flooded causing her to lose everything was rescued by my daughter-in-law's nephews in their dinghy.

Here are just some photos.

The Diego Martin Highway on the morning of Saturday 11 August 2012 after the Diego Martin River had burst its banks (Photograph:  Triniscene.com)

Photograph:  Triniscene.com

Corner of Gittensdale and La Horquette Valley Road, Glenco - pump house gone, part of main road collapsed (Photograph: Kent Sheppard)

A gated community in the Valley that I can see from my hilltop home
(Photograph: Whiteflag Entertainment)

(Photograph:  Papa Bois Conservation)

The clean up operation started as soon as was possible and will continue.  It is now 2.00pm Sunday here in Trinidad and the highway which I can see from my kitchen windows has just been reopened.  

This disaster was not caused by a hurricane or an earthquake and could well happen again before the end of the rainy season.  In the event of either a hurricane or an earthquake the reality is that we are not prepared.  But this recent disaster could have been prevented.  This will only cease when people stop cutting down the lush rain forests and building their mansions into the sides of the mountains and when local corporations start cleaning up after others have dumped their old  mattresses, fridges, freezers, beds and unwanted garbage into the dry river beds.  Better still, make those who do all those things that go against nature, pay dearly for their misdeeds.

Maraval residents distraught by flood damage | CNC3

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