Trinidad and Tobago is severely affected from flooding every year.

As time passes, the

impact seems to be greater.

Question 1: What are some of the methods or ways of response to flooding in Trinidad and

Tobago? (at least two)(4marks)

AND

Question 2: If you were the Minister of Planning and Development describe some innovative

methods of response and Mitigation strategies you would put in place? (At least ONE

innovative method of response and TWO mitigation strategies) Use real places in Trinidad

and Tobago that your suggestions can be implemented. (maps are re-attached to assist)

(8marks)

Question 1; The susceptibility of flooding in Trinidad and Tobago is very high and due to this

many methods of response are put in place by the government. Two methods of response to

flooding in the country are 1)an internal disaster response team for relieving affected

families, and 2) a group of persons to restore the area and mitigate future impacts.

In response to a disaster like flooding the Ministry of social development and family

services appointed an internal disaster response team. They provide  provide the necessary

assistance to persons affected by flooding. They assess reported cases in affected areas. upon

clearance by the ministry, they assess the area to determine the needs of residents. Also, the

government has employed individuals with the task of restoring the affected area. These

persons are in charge of the removal of fallen trees and the cleaning of clogged waterways.

they also use techniques such as dredging of the land to reduce the impacts of future events.

Question 2; In my opinion, in response to events such as flooding the major response should

be to evacuate affected persons. Affected persons should be evacuated due to the dangers the

flood waters pose. Flood waters can spread infectious diseases such as leptospirosis and the
water can also be a chemical hazard due to the presence of pollution. all areas likely to flood

would be assessed. An evacuation plan would be made for areas with the highest risk such as

Port of Spain. Infrastructure with the greatest susceptibility to damage cause by flooding

would be first evacuated. A list of names of persons should be made.

Two mitigation strategies are 1)making better infrastructure and 2)implementing

building codes.

Coastal flooding is regularly seen along the South Trunk Road, along Mosquito Creek

during high tides, as well as along the Manzanilla Mayaro Road in Trinidad. In mitigating

effects of coastal flooding in these areas, better infrastructure would be created. Levees,

floodwalls and seawalls are all infrastructure that can be put in place to mitigate the impacts

of flooding. These structures are designed to prevent floodwaters and storm surges from

reaching areas that are at risk as they built higher than flood level, so they temporarily keep

the water out.

The construction of buildings with proper building codes can reduce flooding or

reduce the impacts of floods. they prescribe practices and measures that directly address

known causes of disaster damages. Damages can be significantly reduced by attention to

modern construction standards and building codes. For example, areas such as penal where

there isn’t sufficient means for the water to subside at a rate where flooding would occur,

building codes should be implemented such as the building of homes on stilts. Also, codes

such as the height of the placement of electrical outlets and meters should be implemented.