safety steps

𝗝𝗢𝗜𝗡 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧𝗦𝗔𝗣𝗣 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗟! 𝗖𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗞: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaN7nmQGOj9na4QhBa12

The Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government (MORDLG) wishes to advise the general public that there is presently a heightened level of activity at the Piparo Mud Volcano, and coordinated monitoring and assessment efforts are actively underway to safeguard public safety.

Initial Damage Assessments are being conducted by the Ministry in collaboration with Disaster Management Units (DMUS) from the Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation (CTTRC) and the Princes Town Regional Corporation (PTRC), along with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), the Trinidad and Tobago Municipal Police Service (TTMPS), the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure (MoWI), the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC), and the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service (TTFS).

Reports indicate that the volcano’s main vent is experiencing increased activity, with visible cracks observed along the roadway in the western area.

This has resulted in additional damage to one of the access roads leading into the community. Agencies on site continue to support ground assessments and public safety operations.

As a precautionary measure, plans are being implemented to restrict access to Piparo Road and divert vehicular traffic through Hoseinee Trace.

The CTTRC Municipal Police is making the necessary arrangements for traffic barriers to be delivered and installed on site to facilitate the traffic management plan.

Access to the area can also be made via Thomas Ross Road from Princes Town or through Piparo Road from Tabaquite.

In addition, a backhoe deployed by CTTRC has been dispatched to the site to re-establish temporary emergency access for residents of Panchoo Trace and Robinson Road while assessments and mitigation works continue.

Speaking on the situation, Minister of Rural Development and Local Government, Honourable Khadijah Ameen, stated:
“The safety and well-being of residents remain our highest priority. Our disaster management teams and emergency services are on the ground conducting thorough assessments, and we are maintaining close coordination with all relevant agencies to ensure that appropriate measures are implemented swiftly should conditions change.”

The Ministry remains in close collaboration with local authorities and emergency response agencies to evaluate potential risks and determine any additional actions required to safeguard residents.

Residents and motorists are urged to exercise caution when approaching the Piparo area and to comply with all instructions issued by officials on site.

At this time, no evacuations have been ordered and no emergency shelters have been activated in surrounding communities. The Ministry continues to closely monitor the situation and will provide further updates as assessments progress.