Parts of north Trinidad declared a 'Disaster Area"

Parts of North Western Trinidad has been declared a "disaster area" due to heavy flooding caused by heavy rains that began early Saturday morning.

Approximately four inches of rainfall was recorded within a two hour period, causing rivers and streams to rise above average and cause flooding and landslides. And two people have died.

In a media statement Saturday afternoon, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said immediate steps would be taken to deal with "the extreme damage and human tragedy" in Diego Martin and surrounding areas.

She said steps would be taken to establish an Emergency Relief Fund for those citizens who are in urgent need of assistance. She also expressed her "deep regret" at the loss of life.

She said, "I have asked the Minister of National Security to provide me the details and to meet with the affected families. I express my own heartfelt sympathy to them. 

"Reports have also come in that reveal that there are at least two missing persons and I await confirmation on the details on this. I pray that these individuals are found to be safe and sound."

Persad-Bissessar thanked the First Reaction Response team for its quick action and to expressed her gratitude to the private sector for their immediate response. "If we had not reacted as quickly as we did the situation could have been much worse," she said.

"At this point the ODPM has coordinated with the military, police and fire services for deployment to all affected areas along with earth moving equipment," Persad-Bissessar stated. She added that evacuation teams have been deployed across the affected areas. Shelters have been established with relief supplies.