Clogged drain triggers flooding in Central

Flooding along Calcutta #1 in Mc Bean, Couva on Saturday was caused by a clogged drain, according to councillor Alan Seepersad.

He said rain began falling after midday and within a few minutes the street was flooded, and the water entered into a few properties.

He explained the clogged drains in the area has been an issue for some time and the Couva/Tabaquite/Talapro Regional Corporation (CTTRC) has been trying to rectify it with the Ministries of Works and Transport drainage division and Rural Development and Local Government.

“The relevant officers and engineers from the ministry visited the site and told us that they already tendered the project, but we are yet to receive any information on when work would begin.

“We also asked for a gulley sucker to clean the drains in the interim because it is filled with very thick slush.”

Seepersad said as councillor for Carli Bay/Calcutta/Mc Bean there was only so much he and the CTTRC could do as work of this nature fell under the remit of the ministry.

He added that several meetings with Minister Rohan Sinanan on the matter were also unsuccessful.

“We are still in the dry season. Could you imagine what will happen to the burgesses in this area when the rainy season is actually upon us?

“We need to begin work now in the areas that are affected by flooding. We cannot wait until it is upon us to do something.”

The disaster management unit at the CTTRC said residents were mostly impacted along the streets of Calcutta #1, Dairy Lane and Deonarine Road. There were no reports damage to property or losses.

The meteorological office issued an adverse yellow weather warning for Saturday. It said flooding was likely in areas of heavy downpours and gusty winds in excess of 45 kilometers per hour would be accompanied by heavy showers or thunderstorms.

Jerry David, senior disaster management co-ordinator at the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government said there flooding in the Mc Bean area came about because of recent development works.

“People were doing private work on their properties and causing problems to water courses. The DMU team visited and assessed the situation but noted that the water subsiding.

“The water will naturally subside, but the authorities need to investigate individuals who have built and blocked water courses for their own, private good. In fact, the country need was proper water drainage plan.”

David also noted that several areas along the East/West corridor also experienced street flooding but noted that the water quickly subsided.

The concern, he said remained with water pooling in particular areas that can cause problems for the public.

David said the rains on Saturday gave an indication of the work that needed to be in preparation for the rainy season and urged the relevant ministries and corporations to get an early start.