Flood update: Parts of Penal, Woodland remain inundated

Several parts of Penal and Debe remained flooded shortly before midday Thursday, leaving residents and commuters frustrated. 

Loop News understands that up until the time of this article, Suchit Trace remained impassable for low vehicles. 

In the vicinity of the E Pan airstrip in Penal, only high vehicles could pass as well. 

Parts of Rock Road, Gopie Trace and Akaloo Trace in Woodland also remained flooded.  

And where there was no water, traffic reportedly backed up for miles as motorists had no choice but to go through.

According to a post from the South Oropouche Riverine Flood Action Group, the traffic piled up across several communities including Charlo Village, the Penal Main Road and parts of the Debe Main Road.

On Wednesday, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar called on the government to declare Penal/Debe as a high relief area. She also called on the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government (RDLG) to allocate equipment and manpower to assist in clean-up efforts, and for illegal developers to be held responsible for their actions.

This after she claimed that no substantial assistance had been forthcoming. 

In a statement later that night the RDLG noted that despite the opposition leader’s comments, since Tuesday, the relevant measures were taken to assist residents affected by the floods.

The RDLG said that the ministry had spearheaded an “immediate, decisive and comprehensive mobilisation” to address the impact of the widespread flooding.

The RDLG noted that “strategic actions” were taken and included a nationwide mobilisation  with support from the ODPM, Defense Force, and other government agencies to deliver substantial aid including sandbags.

In addition the RDLG said that focus was also placed on protecting vulnerable residents by way of securing emergency transport and facilitating vital supplies for residents to protect themselves.

The ministry said that the Barrackpore Regional Complex was established and activated as an emergency relief centre where staff coordinated “swift evacuation operations, including the deployment of boats and dinghies to aid residents in the most affected areas.”

The RDLG also assured that clean-up operations were also fully prepared to launch as soon as conditions allowed.