Skip to playerSkip to main content
CCNTV6
  • 1 year ago
School's out for students in some areas of south Trinidad today, but not for the usual reasons. Schools across the Penal-Debe and Siparia regions had to be evacuated today due to severe flooding caused by torrential rainfall. As floodwaters rose quickly, authorities took swift action to ensure the safety of students and residents in the affected areas.
Transcript
00:00The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service had issued a localized flood alert number
00:05one, a yellow-level warning earlier today.
00:08While that alert has since been discontinued, the situation on the ground remains critical
00:13for many families in these communities.
00:16In the Pinal-Debia region, authorities prioritized the evacuation of children from schools, including
00:22Holy Faith Convent Pinal, Pinal Junior Secondary, and Shiva Boys Hindu College, which had been
00:27severely impacted by flooding.
00:57However, their rescue operation was hampered by the floodwaters.
01:18On Pinal Rock Road, some of the rescue trucks became stuck due to the rising water, delaying
01:23efforts to reach more isolated communities.
01:26Despite these challenges, authorities worked to establish alternative routes for evacuations.
01:50As floodwater affected more homes, community members came together to assist with evacuations
01:55and distribute essential supplies.
01:57Volunteers helped to ensure that both the children and the elderly were cared for during
02:02the emergency situation.
02:04Local businesses also stepped in to provide food, water, and other resources.
02:08For this immediate year, I have already declared that there is a disaster, so we will be having
02:15the DMU communicate to the ministry to be able to provide assistance.
02:21Right now, I'm using as we are accustomed to the good Samaritans of the private enterprises
02:27that will be sending trucks and so on to me shortly.
02:30At this time, no major structural damage has been reported, but authorities are continuing
02:35to monitor the situation as the floodwater remains high.
02:39Residents have been urged to stay indoors and avoid any unnecessary travel.
02:43We are getting calls from all over with children stranded, people stranded, so I'm trying really
02:49to create a network of high vehicles, trucks mainly, that can move into the areas and do
02:56some evacuation.
02:58With the localized flood alert number one now discontinued, authorities are continuing
03:02to monitor conditions as the floodwater begins to subside.
03:06The evacuation of children from schools has largely been completed and efforts are underway
03:11to assist other affected residents.
03:13Josette Donanan, TV6 News.
Be the first to comment
Add your comment