[UPDATED] Rohan: We did all we could after Karen

MINISTER of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan said workers from his ministry had monitored key sites across the country during last weekend’s passage of feeder bands from Tropical Storm Karen. In at least one place, workers had leapt into action to unclog a waterway when they saw waters rise. “It was a brilliant team effort by all agencies.”

He spoke at today’s post-Cabinet briefing at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s. The ministry had been very adventurous during the dry season, Sinanan said, doing 400 projects to avert flooding. “That would have helped us significantly.”

He said by Tuesday all was back to normal, with an extra pump brought to Bamboo #3 and with sluice-gates opened at Bamboo #1 to help water drain out.

Sinanan promised new, replacement water-pumps for Bamboo #1 and nationwide. These will be electric and automatic, so they could be switched on from far. He said it would be done in phases, over three years, but mentioned no cost. “Our plan is to replace all the pumps in TT.”

Sinanan said the de-silting of many waterways beforehand had helped avert flooding last weekend. A MOWT team is looking at all breaches by flood waters to try to avert any future recurrence, he said. A major challenge for MOWT is when people plant crops on riverbanks, often blocking any efforts cleaning the river, Sinanan added.

Minister of National Security Stuart Young said the Government had done all preparations possible before the bad weather, such that so Greenvale and Oropune were spared last year’s devastation despite very heavy rain on Sunday. “Good fortune follows good preparation,” he remarked.

HDC managing director Brent Lyons and staff were at Greenvale collectively for 48 hours on Sunday and Monday, ensuring residents had sandbags, Young said.

TT felt fewer effects from TS Karen than anticipated, he said.

Young implored individuals to stop stealing material from riverbanks, a theft which contributes to flooding. He said it was a shame the overburdened police had to pursue such individuals, for offences such as theft of materials. Young promised a Beverage Container Bill soon but said it was up to individuals not to litter, alluding to the blockage of watercourses. He said the blockage of waterways by Styrofoam boxes, plastic bottles and even old fridges was “disturbing, distressing and disgusting.”

Young urged reporters in the field to ask flood-hit residents why they had built in a flood-prone area, even as Sinanan said most such areas were never designated as residential areas.

Local Government Minister Kazim Hosein hailed CEPEP workers as the unsung heroes of the clean-up in flood-hit areas namely Bamboo #1, Bamboo #3, Mount Lambert and Barataria. He hailed the disaster management units of the two local corporations (Tunapuna/Piarco and San Juan/Laventille Regional Corporations, TPRC and SJLRC.) Lamenting drains clogged with mattresses and plastics, Hosein urged citizens to keep their neighbourhoods clear. He hailed the Penal/Debe Regional Corporation for sending 30-40 workers to help the TPRC to clean up the Bamboo areas.

This story was originally published with the title "Sinanan: 'We did all we could for TS Karen'" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

MINISTER of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan said workers from his ministry had monitored key locations across the country during last weekend’s passage of feeder bands from Tropical Storm Karen. In at least one place, workers had leapt into action to unclog a waterway when they saw waters rise.

He spoke at today’s post-Cabinet briefing at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s.

The ministry had been very adventurous during the dry season, he said, doing 400 projects to avert flooding.

Sinanan promised new, replacement water-pumps for Bamboo and nationwide, which would be electric and automatic, so they could be switched on from far.

Minister of National Security Stuart Young said the Government had done all preparations possible before the bad weather, such that so Greenvale and Oropune were spared last year’s devastation.

Young implored individuals to stop stealing material from riverbanks, a theft which contributes to flooding. He said it was a shame the overburdened police had to pursue such individuals, for offences such as theft of materials. Young promised a Beverage Container Bill soon but said it was up to individuals not to litter, alluding to blocked watercourses.

Young urged reporters in the field to ask flood-hit residents why they had built in a flood-prone area, even as Sinanan said most such areas were never designated as residential areas.