As Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley drove through the Debe, Penal and San Francique communities to assess flooding damage yesterday, disgruntled residents expressed their dissatisfaction at the response from the state authorities.
Scores of communities remained under water in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Bret, with residents unable to cook, clean, bathe and get a proper sleep. Elderly residents and children were trapped in their homes as floods intensified in some areas, bringing garbage and pests into their properties.
Rowley told reporters that he was concerned with those residents who had not been able to receive aid such as mattresses, dry food and water. However, he said those residents will have to wait until the floods subside before emergency teams can enter their communities.
“I have noticed in some areas it (flood) is going down, in others it is coming up, because the water is flowing from one area to another. Fortunately, the rains have stopped so we expect that with the draining off the physical conditions will improve,” the PM said.
“What I am really concerned about is the tangible help to get to those in areas that can’t access food, water and warm conditions. So mattresses, dry foods and water are our priorities right now, so we just have to wait for the water to drain off.”
While he was criticised for not being visible on the ground on Tuesday, so too was his presence in the communities yesterday, as residents pointed out to the T&T Guardian that his entourage of vehicles passed through the flood waters and completely ignored them.
In Debe Trace, Debe, residents experienced floods as deep as five feet , brought on by incomplete work on the Debe river during the Solomon Hochoy Highway Extension Project.
Seeta Sookdeo said since rain began on Monday night they had been flooded out. By 1 pm Tuesday, all her furniture and appliances were covered in water. She said her family has not even received a bottle of water from the authorities
“He (Rowley) ain’t stopped. He didn’t slow down to watch anybody. That is a good man, a very decent person,” Sookdeo said sarcastically.
Relatives of 75-year-old Jasoo Sookdeo, who uses a wheelchair, had to evacuate her from her home on Monday night as the river broke its bank and water gushed into her house.
In Mohess Road, Debe, Lalchan Rambharose said since Monday the water had not left their home and no one had come to help. He said the Penal/Debe Regional Corporation promised sandbags but delivered nothing.
“Right now I am under 3 1/2 feet of water. We are sleeping by the road because we can’t sleep by my house. My mother is stuck in there, my brother and two sons as well. The mattresses are wet, freezer, refrigerator, stove gone,” Lalchan said.
Told of the residents’ disappointment, Rowley said he could not spend time with everyone as he was trying to see as many places as possible in two hours. However, Rowley did meet with a few residents along Gopee Trace, Penal and Pluck Road, San Francique.
The swelling of the New Cut Channel worsened yesterday, as it overflowed into the surrounding wetland communities, drowning cattle and poultry and flooding several properties. The New Cut Channel, built in 1963, collects water from several rivers stretching as far a Moruga before disposing it in the Godineau River.
Media stranded
A bus transporting journalists during a tour of the southern areas affect by flooding stalled in Debe Trace. Although the bus was organised by the Ministry of Local Government as part of the entourage accompanying Rowley, more than 1o Government vehicles passed the bus, leaving journalists stranded. It was only when two workers from Anand Low Price Supermarket passed and saw the journalists in distress that help came.
They allowed the journalists to climb through the windows of the bus and onto the back of their truck. The workers then towed the maxi to a dry area, but the journalists were left at the roadside until another vehicle picked them up.
Told of this, Rowley said, “I’m sure that the media can take care of itself. As a matter of fact, I was surprised how many vehicles got through that water because a couple of the areas would have been deep so I’m glad you made it through.”
Grants available
In the Siparia Regional Corporation (SRC), 200 people are being affected by the aftermath of passing of the storm. Of that figure, 170 are critically affected, 25 homes damaged and five houses demolished.
SRC chairman Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh said while help has come from various agencies, more is needed in order to return the communities to normalcy.
Rowley said while relief efforts will be made available, the SRC needs to ensure it reaches to only those who qualify in order to properly manage the Government funds.
Housing Minister Randall Mitchell said once the affected residents write to his ministry and provide proof of damage, they will be eligible for emergency housing grants valued at $15,000.