Rohan: Prepare for ‘new norm’ of bad weather

Even as ministers listed the role their respective ministries are playing to help residents of recently-flooded areas, Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan said a “new norm” of bad weather patterns now requires new initiatives. These would include flood retention ponds such as those built with each new development in Miami.

At a news conference at Tower D, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain yesterday, Sinanan blamed flooding on a combination of poor development, bad planning and unusual rainfall. Saying recent downpour overwhelmed the water courses, he said “That water simply had nowhere to go.”

On Opposition claims of inadequate dredging, he later told Newsday of 118 recent projects to dredge, de-silt and renovate riverbanks. He said fresh rainfall loosens fresh dirt, so dredging must be a continuous process. Sinanan lamented that people build residences and commercial places in natural retention areas for flood waters, such as swamp, on either side of the Solomon Hochoy Highway.

National Security Minister Edmund Dillon said 2,300 homes have been assessed for damage with details to go to relevant agencies to help with food, clothing and repairs. Stranded people in areas like Woodland have been placed in shelters.

Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat said farmers can expect to get $12 million out of a $20 million relief fund. He expects to see price hikes for hot pepper and tomatoes similar to what occurred after the passage of Tropical Storm Bret. Minister of Local Government Kazim Hosein was deeply gratified by ordinary people helping flood-victims. “I really saw love in this trying time.” He said regional corporation disaster coordinators had been easy to reach by phone. Social Development Minister Cherrie-Ann Cockburn-Critchlow said State relief to individuals is for basic items such as beds and fridges but not televisions. She said after Bret, some 1,490 claims were denied, likely for people misunderstanding the eligibility criteria.