Trinidad and Tobago: A massive flooding has once again been reported in Trinidad and Tobago on Monday due to the heavy rainfall and severe thunderstorms. Due to the inclement weather, the streets have been filled with excessive water, blocking the roads and pathways.
This is not the first time Trinidad and Tobago has been facing the situation of the flooding as it was almost one month that the residents are struggling with the streets filled with rainwater. They were asked to stay in their homes and avoid venturing in the rainwater as this could be threatening for the lives of the citizens.
Not only this, due to the flooding and other inclement weather conditions, but the threat of the mosquito have also started prevailing in Trinidad and Tobago. Over 500 cases of dengue have also been reported in the country due to the clean and standing water.
The questions have also been raised that why Trinidad and Tobago is being hard hit by floods even with the regular rainfall.
According to the met department of Trinidad and Tobago, the flooding occurs across Trinidad and Tobago mostly due to the combination of both natural and artificial causes. During the heavy and intense rainfall, the drops of the water bounce off the ground instead of being absorbed by the soil.
The rainfall events occur during the Wet Season- the season which is quite favourable for flooding and other inclement conditions. In addition to that, the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone and other tropical systems have been causing the multi-day rain events, fostering the chance of the becoming statured.
The second reason behind the heavy rainfall and flooding conditions included the difference between the lowest and highest point on land. The low-lying areas in Trinidad and Tobago makes the conditions worse as the heavy rainfall and other inclement conditions cause the heavy street flooding, disrupting their lifestyles.
The third reason is the deforestation as several cases of clearing of the lands in Trinidad and Tobago have been reported. Clearing trees makes the soil weaker and reduces its capacity to absorb and retain the water, causing bounce off of the water.
The entire situation caused the increased flow and further increase the surface runoff which makes it favourable to the flood like situation.
Fourth reason for such conditions is the poor land use practices that happen due to the burn agriculture, over-cultivation and over grazing. These situations reduce the viability of the soil for vegetative growth, which also contributes to the deforestation situation.
The improper water disposal have also caused the flooding in Trinidad and Tobago as it prevent the water to flow and get absorbed into the soil.
The situations are included man-made and natural that combinedly have caused the situation of the climate change due to which the frequent rains occurred in Trinidad and Tobago.
