Quarrying activities contribute significantly to the siltation of riverbeds thereby physically reducing the amount of water that the river retains. Slash and burn agriculture places undue stress on the land eventually reducing its fertility. Unplanned housing developments on hills severely reduces vegetative cover, which often makes the difference between flooding and the natural run off of water into traditional watercourses. The dumping of everything from cars to household refuse in rivers and drains reduces the capacity of the drainage system, which leads to overflowing. The extension of urban development into flood plains has forced surplus waters to find other outlets.
Flood plains are nature's way of channeling excess water.
When these plains are replaced by concrete or other structures, the water must find another way out. These climatic features have a direct impact on the ability of the land to absorb extra water. In light of the above it should be easy to understand why more and more areas of the country have become susceptible to floods and why during the rainy season it feels as through we have lost control in the face of angry, swiftly moving muddy waters. The new century will see the introduction of a water resources management strategy for Trinidad and Tobago Water Resources agency, for this study. The present study, which will soon be presented to Cabinet, examines a number of critical areas, apart from flooding.