ODPM receives disaster management equipment

 

    Disaster Management received a boost on 10th November, 2020 with the donation of disaster management equipment from the Ambassador of the United States of America to Trinidad and Tobago, His Excellency Joseph Mondello.

    At the handover ceremony at the ODPM's Alternate National Emergency Operations Centre in Mausica, the Minister of National Security, the Honourable Stewart Young, received 2 Jeep Wranglers, 96 hand-cranked radios, 18 Samsung Tablets and 60 first aid kits to assist with the country's disaster management efforts.

        

    Also in attendance at the handover ceremony were the Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Senator the Honourable  Kazim Hosein, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government Ms. Desdra Bascombe, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security Mr. Gary Joseph, Chief Executive Officer of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management Major General (Retired) Rodney Smart and Chief Military Liaison Officer U.S. Embassy to Trinidad and Tobago Colonel Claudia Carrizales.

    The Jeep Wranglers will improve the ODPMs capability to conduct field operations during emergency and disaster situations. The ODPM will also oversee the distribution of the other equipment to the Disaster Management Units of the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government to enhance their coordination, communication  and overall management of persons in their areas affected by disasters.

Light mag. 4.9 earthquake - Windward Islands, Trinidad & Tobago on Sunday, 4 October 2020

    On Sunday 04 October, 2020 at 3:15 pm a 4.9 magnitude earthquake jolted parts of Trinidad and Tobago with the effects being felt also in the Windward Islands. No serious damages were reported. The quake occurred at a depth of 56 km with its epicentre at approximately 32 km from Trinidad's north coast and 89 km from Crown Point, Tobago.

    Citizens as far as south as Rio Claro experienced the shaking. Descriptions varied from a small rocking that lasted for 2 to 5 seconds to a strong shaking lasting about 15 seconds.

    The earthquake's epicentre was within zone 4 of 8 earthquake zones around Trinidad and Tobago. In this zone, according to Trinidad and Tobago Weather Centre, earthquakes are associated with the subducting slab of the South American Plate, resulting in a deeper event of depths between 40-55 km, but it can be deeper. Quakes in this area can also be associated with the North Coast Fault System, which runs just offshore the Northern Coast of Trinidad, where events are usually less than 40 km in depth. This area typically produces light (M4.0-4.9) or moderate (M5.0-5.9) magnitude earthquakes. Earthquakes in this zone tend to produce less aftershocks than earthquakes elsewhere across Trinidad and Tobago.

Mini tornado destroys home at Chase Village

On Wednesday 14th October 2020, amid a heavy thunderstorm, a funnel cloud formed around Chase Village causing what persons described as a "mini tornado" that destroyed the roof of a home a Ragoonanan Trace. Fortunately, the family that occupied the home was able to escape to safety as the heavy rain poured in and continued to batter the home.

Other homes suffered minor damage from flying debris. After the phenomenon, the Couva/ Talparo/ Tabaquite Regional Corporation stepped in to provide immediate relief items for the family of 6 and the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services has offered disaster assistance funding to facilitate the necessary repairs to the home.