During the first term of the 2024/2025 Academic Year, Cari-Bois partnered with the Scotiabank Foundation to empower ten (10) students with climate journalism skills as part of the second edition of Cari-Bois’ Youth Journalism Project. For their first assignment, students had the opportunity to research the effects of climate change on either Trinidad and Tobago or the Caribbean and write a story. This story was written by La Toya Le Quay of Blanchisseuse Secondary School.
Located in the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago is a country with an annual wet season from June to December.
In recent years, thunderstorms during this season have become more frequent and intense which has led to severe flooding throughout low-lying and coastal areas.
While the effects of these floods have been harmful to the general population, they have particularly affected farmers and homes in low-lying areas.
Natural factors that worsen flooding
But in addition to the threat of just heavy rain, prolonged period of droughts associated with climate change dries the soil which can lead to more intense flash floods after rainfall events.
The sea level rise associated with climate change also increases the rise of coastal flooding that affect coastal communities.
Man-made factors that worse flooding
Another factor that causes flooding – especially in and around Trinidad’s capital, Port of Spain – is rapid urbanization.
Natural floodplains and wetlands that usually act as buffers to slow down excess surface water have been replaced with concrete structures and inadequate drainage which struggle to cope with heavy rainfalls.
How flooding affects livelihoods in Trinidad and Tobago
The impact of flooding in Trinidad and Tobago is wide ranging and devastating.
Flooding disrupts daily life as some roads become impassable, homes can get destroyed and businesses are forced to close their doors which results in a loss of revenue.
In rural and agricultural areas, flooded lands result in farmers losing crops and income.
Elsewhere, floods can destroy infrastructure like roads, drainage and bridges that can all be costly to repair.
Flooding can affect health
Stagnant flood waters also pose a health risk as it creates a breeding ground for mosquitoes carrying diseases like dengue and chikungunya.
Floodwater contaminated by sewage and chemicals poses a direct threat to human life.
Ways the impact of floods can be mitigated
In response to the growing flood risks, authorities in Trinidad and Tobago have put some measures in place to help with the flooding.
For example, works have started to improve the drainage in Macoya and Tunapuna as flooding in these areas have worsened due to increasingly excess water from the mountains flowing down during torrential rains.
With the drainage systems in many communities currently not being built to accommodate the volume of water associated with increasing levels of rainfall, the government expenditure on flood relief and infrastructure updates will continue to rise.
Investments have also been made in developing Trinidad and Tobago early warning alert system and conducting public awareness sessions on climate change.
Caroni River Flood Alleviation and Drainage Project
A noticeable recent initiative to strengthen the climate resilience of communities in Trinidad and Tobago is The Caroni River Flood Alleviation and Drainage Project.
The project aims to upgrade the drainage system in the Caroni River basin which is a well-known area for flooding.
Projects like these ensure causes and effects of flooding can be managed through planning and investment in proper drainage infrastructure.
But projects like these must be paired with other actions to reduce deforestation on slopes.
As Trinidad and Tobago continues to be affected by climate change, there is a need to come up with long-term strategies that can assist in reducing the impact of flooding.
These strategies will require coordinated efforts from the government, private sector, and citizens to reduce the effects of flooding and protect vulnerable communities.
A very special thank you to the Scotiabank Foundation for supporting the development of young people through initiatives like the Cari-Bois Youth Journalism Project.
