HEAVY RAINFALL on Monday afternoon across Trinidad has led the Elections and Boundaries Commission to take the decision to extend the voting period by one hour.
Electors now have until 7p.m. to get to the polls.
The decision was taken after 5p.m. after the EBC began receiving reports of long lines at polling stations, and difficulty by some voters in getting to polling stations as a result of traffic and flooding.
Late voters got a drenching, as rain showers sweep across the island.
At South Quay this afternoon, fire fighters had to help people left stranded by rising waters.
The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service issued a bulletin.
Meteorologist Bryan Thomas in a statement said, “Over the past few hours, southern parts of Trinidad and to a lesser extent Tobago, have been experiencing cloudy to overcast conditions with periods of rain and showers, some of which have been moderate to heavy in intensity. This rainfall activity is due to a moist and unstable environment associated with the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), and an approaching Tropical Wave.
Cloudy to overcast conditions with periods of rain and/or showers some of which may be heavy and thundery are forecast for at least the next 8 hours for both Trinidad and Tobago. Rainfall accumulations of 15 to 30 millimetres or greater in some locations, can be expected from this rainfall event. The showery activity can yield moderate to severe street or flash flooding along with strong bursts of gusty winds.
Given the current and expected conditions, citizens are advised to be vigilant and cautious as they conduct their activities particularly as they observe the electoral process and to pay attention to the media or visit our website at www.metoffice.gov.tt/forecast for weather forecast updates”.
Thomas also said that Trinidad and Tobago is not under any Tropical Storm Watch or Warning.
And the MET Office will continue to closely monitor this weather event and will issue another bulletin as warranted. (Express)
