UPDATE: The Critical Incident Online Application Form, available for persons affected by flooding and disaster, who have not yet been visited by the Disaster Management Unit, can be found at: grants.social.gov.tt. The Ministry of Social Development and Family Services is advising that its Critical Incident Response System has officially been activated, following the inclement weather experienced over the past few days; resulting in many individuals and families being adversely affected due to flooding.
In a Media Release today (Tuesday 29th November 2022), the Ministry said it has partnered with its key stakeholders, particularly the Disaster Management Unit (DMU) of the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government, through the ARCGIS Survey 123 Platform of shared information, and electronic assessments; “to ensure that support is provided to affected persons in the shortest possible time.” The Ministry notes that it offers grants to persons impacted by natural disasters who are eligible for:
Additionally, the Ministry advises of its Critical Incident Online Application Form available for persons affected by flooding and disaster, who have not yet been visited by the Disaster Management Unit (DMU) of the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government. This portal may be accessed by logging on to the Ministry's website at www.social.gov.tt and completing the application for disaster relief. Officers from the Ministry are also on the field, and are processing applications, in an effort to restore persons impacted, as quickly as possible. Persons are kindly urged to contact their respective Disaster Management Units (DMUs) at the Regional Corporations and Officers attached to the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services. The Ministry notes that Social Workers attached to the National Family Services Division are also on the field, “to provide psychosocial support to families who may be feeling stressed and anxious at this time.” The Ministry's toll free Suicide Prevention Hotline is also available via 800-COPE (800-2673), should persons require urgent counselling support over the phone. For further information and assistance, also contact the Ministry's toll free call centre at 800-IMSD (800-1673), visit any of their social welfare district offices in your area, or send a message via any of their social media platforms. The Ministry said it remains resolute “to its mandate of helping, empowering, and transforming the lives of all persons, particularly those who distressed and displaced at this time.”
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The Ministry of Health revealed in its weekly COVID-19 update on Tuesday (29th November 2022) that there have been 140 new COVID-19 cases in Trinidad and Tobago plus one (1) unfortunate death over the period 23rd - 29th November 2022.
The rolling 7-day average of new positive cases is twenty (20) while the rolling 7-day average of new deaths is less than one (1). T&T’s total active positive cases is currently at 198. The country’s death toll has increased to 4,267. As of 23rd November 2022, 321 deaths were fully vaccinated persons while 3,555 deaths were not fully vaccinated. 390 deaths were recorded prior to 24th May 2021 (date at which the first group of vaccinated persons became fully vaccinated). A total of 718,022 persons have been fully vaccinated, representing 51.3% of the population. Meanwhile, 681,978 persons are not fully vaccinated (only received a first dose or no doses), representing 48.7% of the population. 169,245 persons in total have taken a booster shot. The Ministry states that the number of positive cases reported reflects the samples taken during an 8-day period between 21st - 28th November 2022 and not the last twenty-four (24) hours. The Ministry also notes that there are currently twenty-one (21) COVID-19 positive patients in total being treated at Hospitals and step-down facilities. No patients are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or the High Dependency Unit (HDU).
UPDATE (30/11/22): The Ministry said at 5:00 AM this morning (Wednesday 30th November 2022) that authorization previously granted to light motor vehicles to utilize the Priority Bus Route (PBR), has been rescinded with immediate effect. Please be guided accordingly.
The Ministry of Works and Transport is advising the public that the Priority Bus Route (PBR) is open from 6:00 pm today (Tuesday 29th November 2022) until further notice.
This provision is for LIGHT MOTOR VEHICLES only and is in response to ongoing flooding on the Southbound lanes of the Uriah Butler Highway in the vicinity of the Caroni Flyover, which has created a traffic pileup.
Please be guided accordingly.
This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates.
Minister of Rural Development and Local Government, Faris Al-Rawi, held a Press Conference at 5:00 PM this afternoon (Tuesday 29th November 2022) to update the public on what steps the Government is taking to assist those affected by the inclement weather.
Below are the key points discussed today, courtesy of TTT Live Online: Among this afternoon’s announcements:
- Minister Al-Rawi noted that there was significant traffic on our Highway today because the El Carmen/Caroni River overtopped its banks. He said even though the rain has stopped, the water level is so high that it made its way onto the Highway.
- Minister Al-Rawi stated that Ministers have been out on the field and “there are some areas literally in a disaster state” where water is up to ten (10) feet high in some areas. He said “there are people in extreme distress.” He noted that there has been a great amount of assistance from citizens who came to the aid of marooned residents. - Arrangements have been made for auxiliary pumps to be brought on-site at Bamboo #2 but with the Caroni River at full capacity, having breached its banks and crossed onto the Highway, moving the water out is a problem at this time. - Minister Al-Rawi stated that Officials are still dealing with eleven (11) out of fourteen (14) Corporations with significant events.
- Minister Al-Rawi: Over the coming days, personnel will be moving to render clean-up assistance.
- Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan confirmed that connectivity has been restored throughout the country. However, he said there are some parts where a single lane can only be utilized by motorists due to rubble still to be removed. In terms of flooding, he said there are some areas still under water. - On flooding in the Bamboo #2 area, Minister Sinanan said this area presents a challenge at the moment and they had to shut the pumps down there after they went underwater. However, the Minister said there are pumps on standby which will go into operation once the water recedes. - Minister of Public Utilities, Marvin Gonzales, said information from the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS) indicates there will be good and settled conditions over the next twenty-four (24) to forty-eight (48) hours, which will help with clean-up and restoration efforts. - Minister Gonzales said T&T is experiencing harsh La Niña conditions and some reports indicate that there will be above-average rainfall activity until February 2023, followed by a harsh Dry Season in March and April 2023, then a Rainy Season from May to June 2023. - The Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) has stabilized and brought back into operation, a number of surface water sources. As of today (Tuesday 29th November 2022), thirteen (13) out of sixteen (16) Plants were brought back into operation. It is expected that the remaining three (3) Water Treatment Plants will be brought back into operation over the next twenty-four (24) hours. - National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds: There will be more engagement by the Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force (TTDF) in relief efforts. If you missed the Press Conference, you can watch it below in its entirety. Pictured Above: A partially submerged car in flood waters at Mohan Street, Bamboo #2. Photo Credit: Akash Samaroo/CNC3. According to Member of Parliament for Oropouche West, Davendranath Tancoo, “This Government has failed to implement preventative strategies to mitigate the widespread flooding across the country, resulting in millions of dollars in damage and loss to property, crops and livelihoods of thousands of citizens. Many of these very properties Minister [Colm] Imbert seeks to tax, are under floodwaters.”
In a Media Release on Tuesday (29th November 2022), the MP for Oropouche West, and also shadow Minister of Finance for the Opposition, Tancoo noted that the Government has “failed to provide the funding and equipment to clean the various watercourses, maintain the irrigation channels, and dredge the rivers in the Dry Season, is testament to their neglect of ordinary citizens.” “Today, tens of thousands of people are suffering as water levels have risen to over ten (10) feet in some areas, making roads impassable and whole communities submerged under floodwaters. The resultant cost is in the millions of dollars as homes have been damaged, some have collapsed, while businesses have all been lost in the floods,” the MP said. Addressing the property tax issue to Minister Imbert, MP Tancoo said in his statement, “To implement the property tax at this stage would be an act of malice and ill-will towards the beleaguered citizens and no right-thinking Government would intentionally add to their financial and other worries, Minister.” MP Tancoo said few weeks ago he wrote to the Speaker of the House of Representatives “seeking to have flooding debated as a Definite Matter of Urgent Public Importance. That request was refused.” MP Tancoo said it is “ironic and unfortunate that today the entire country is now witness to the Government’s failure to address the causes of flooding.” [Source: UNC] Minister of Rural Development and Local Government, Faris Al-Rawi, will be hosting a Press Conference at 5:00 PM this afternoon (Tuesday 29th November 2022) to update the public on what steps the Government is taking to assist those affected by the inclement weather. This is the fourth consecutive day in which a Press Conference of this nature is being held. Watch the live stream of the Press Conference below when it begins at 5:00 PM, courtesy of TTT. This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates.
The Ministry of Works and Transport is advising the commuting public to drive at a reduced speed and proceed with caution on the Southbound lane of the Uriah Butler Highway, in the vicinity of the Caroni Flyover, which is experiencing a spill-over from the Caroni River.
The Ministry notes that this Traffic Advisory is necessary at this time, as the acceleration ramp, the slow lane and the shoulder of the Southbound lane are flooded but is still passable to vehicular traffic.
Please stay connected to the Ministry's official platforms for further updates.
This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates.
The Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government is advising members of the public of reported flood locations across the various Regional Corporations as at 12:00 PM today (Tuesday 29th November 2022). Affected communities are urged to call their relevant Disaster Management Units (DMUs).
The Riverine Flood Alert (Orange Level) has been extended until 12:00 PM on Wednesday (30tb November 2022). Below are the reported flood locations today: MAYARO/RIO CLARO REGIONAL CORPORATION
SANGRE GRANDE REGIONAL CORPORATION
ARIMA BOROUGH CORPORATION
SIPARIA REGIONAL CORPORATION
This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates.
Pictured Above: Traffic is seen piling up on both sides of the Uriah Butler Highway on Tuesday afternoon. UPDATE (5:10 PM): Flooding continues on the Southbound lanes of Uriah Butler Highway. Waters are covering the shoulder, left and center lanes, and on-ramp to the Highway from the Caroni Flyover. While all lanes remain passable, significant traffic delays are ongoing. UPDATE (2:45 PM): The Ministry of Works and Transport has issued a Traffic Advisory for the flooding currently being experienced by motorists on the Uriah Butler Highway. Get the details here. According to reports this afternoon (Tuesday 29th November 2022), as at 12:45 PM, the left-most lane of the Southbound Uriah Butler Highway, the shoulder and the on-ramp from the Caroni Flyover are all now covered in flood water.
The Uriah Butler Highway remains passable but traffic is backed up in both directions. Major flooding is still ongoing in several areas of the country. The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS) has extended its Riverine Flood Alert (Orange Level) until 12:00 PM on Wednesday (30th November 2022). More on this as it becomes available. This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates. [Source: TTWC/Twitter] Pictured Above: One of the Officers being taken away on a stretcher. Photo Credit: Ivan Toolsie/CNC3. Two (2) Police Officers have been taken to the San Fernando General Hospital after suffering serious injuries when both men crashed their motorcycles at an intersection in San Fernando this morning (Tuesday 29th November 2022).
The accident occurred in front of the home of CNC3 cameraman, Ivan Toolsie. According to reports, PC Joseph and PC Harripersad had just left the San Fernando Licensing Office and were returning to base at the San Fernando Police Headquarters on their Police motorcycles when the incident occurred. As the Officers proceeded North along Independence Avenue and came to the intersection of Ruth Avenue, they saw a motorist driving a Nissan Note, attempting to turn right from Upper Independence Avenue, into the newly constructed link road that connects Lady Hailes Avenue. That part of the road is under construction and there is no street traffic sign alerting motorists to impending danger. A witness said as PC Joseph stopped to alert the motorist, PC Harripersad, who was heading in the same direction, crashed into PC Joseph’s motorcycle. PC Joseph flew into the air and landed hard on his back. Consultant Surgical Oncologist, Dr. Ammiel Arra, who happened to be nearby, came to assist the Officers. PC Joseph is said to have suffered injuries to his back and possibly a broken leg. An off-duty Fire Officer, who was driving behind the men when the crash occurred, also assisted and called the Emergency Health Service (EHS) ambulance. Two (2) MTS Officers also arrived at the scene and watched over PC Joseph as he laid on the ground. The Officers were taken by ambulance to the San Fernando General Hospital. More on this as it becomes available. This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates. [Source: CNC3] |
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