Tropical wave brings floods, landslide and a waterspout to Trinidad

Showers and thunderstorms associated with the passage of a tropical wave has triggered street and flash flooding across northwestern Trinidad on Monday afternoon.

Frequent lightning knocked out power to parts of Petit Valley, with flooding reported on the Diego Martin Highway, the Morne Coco Road from Petit Valley to Santa Cruz as well as parts of the Western Main Road. Flooding has also been reported in Crystal Stream, Diego Martin and along the Diego Martin Main Road.

A landslide was also reported on the Lady Young Road shortly after midday, causing traffic to back up as far as Morvant. The landslide has since been cleared.

Between 25 millimetres to 75 millimetres (1-3 inches) of rain fell across northwestern Trinidad within 2 hours, causing these floods and landslide.

The inclement weather was not just localized to northwestern areas. Onlookers in Point Lisas and Couva also reported seeing what appeared to be a waterspout over the Gulf of Paria. There were no reports of damage to offshore vessels. On Sunday evening, heavy rainfall also triggered flooding in the vicinity of Barrackpore East Secondary School in southern Trinidad.

Reporter: Kalain Hosein