Declaring parts of Fyzabad and Rousillac as disaster zones, Chairman of the Siparia Regional Corporation, Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh, defied trespassing laws and led work crews onto private lands in order to clear illegally blocked watercourses.
The communities of Silver Stream Road and National Mining Road resembled rivers and lagoons yesterday as thunderstorm conditions over the last two days wreaked havoc in most of the southwestern peninsular, including areas in Otaheite and Guapo.
“This is a public health disaster, so right now we have no choice. We are in a disaster zone and we have to bring relief to the people. We have little choice but to go into their lands and clear the watercourses they have impeded,” Ramadharsingh said.
Some families were not able to sleep in their homes as they had to rush to raise their furniture and appliances onto building blocks in order to avoid further financial burdens that were left by Tropical Storm Bret two weeks ago.
Ramadharsingh said their problem was that the Solomon Hochoy Highway Extension Project created a barrier between both sides of the Oropouche lagoon and there was not enough drainage.
However, he said the major issue was that two land developers backfilled their properties, with one of them diverting a river around his property, narrowing its path in the process.
When the T&T Guardian investigated, the river on the eastern side of the highway was significantly wider than the other side where the developer had backfilled the property.
With flood spanning several kilometres, the tunnel along Silver Stream Road, which runs under the highway, was filled with water. It also meant that families such as Ravidranath Ramesar had to spend the night on the road.
Ramesar, who lives with his wife, children, and three-year-old grandchild near the tunnel said it was the first time the area was flooded. Between Thursday night and yesterday morning, he had caught three snakes.
Even though the sun shone brightly in the afternoon, the water around his home appeared not to be moving. Luckily, his dogs were able to climb onto a ledge in their kennel, but his ducks were seen swimming away.
Further along the road, Kaisraj Singh suffered heavy loss and tens of thousands of dollar worth of car parts were submerged in the waters.
Singh, a mechanic, had stored vehicle transmissions and engines in a shed, some of which came crashing down when the river near his home burst its banks.
Over in Rousillac, neighbours Rajesh Bunsee and Dennis Rajgobin were both blocked from entering their homes by rising water.
‘Penalise unscrupulous developers’
Since the construction of the highway between South Oropouche and Rousillac there has been several land develop ments along the way.
Ramadharsingh said because the highway significantly increased the value of land, many people sold their properties to investors for commercial use. He said a small drain was built along the highway, which also cannot contain the run-off.
Under the Waterworks and Water Conservation Act, it is illegal to block, alter or divert any natural watercourse. Anyone found in violation is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $1,000 in the case of a first offence and to a fine of $1,500 and to imprisonment for three months in the case of a second or subsequent offence.
“The drainage department wrote a report but there was no action. So much money is imposed on people for not wearing their seat belts or speeding but there are not enough sanctions for unscrupulous developers. We need to have penalties against these types of people because the greed of the few is what has caused that water to back up,” Ramadharsingh said.