Tomas to menace coast

-heavy rain, storm force winds likely

The severe weather system north east of Guyana was yesterday afternoon declared a Tropical Storm and the Hydrometeorological Service is urging residents along the coast and inland areas to brace for heavy rainfall, gusty winds, thunder and lightning over the next few days.

Reuters reported yesterday that Tropical Storm Tomas formed in the Atlantic on a track threatening the Caribbean’s central Windward Islands, while further north Tropical Storm Shary headed for the British island-territory of Bermuda. Tomas, the 19th storm of the very active 2010

Atlantic hurricane season, was forecast to strengthen and could become a hurricane by tomorrow, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. It had top sustained winds of 40 miles per hour (65 kph), and at 5 p.m. EDT/2100 GMT, was located about 200 miles (320 km) southeast of Barbados.

The tropical storm is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to the Windward Islands and parts of northern Venezuela in the next few days, the hurricane centre said.  Based on forecast models, the storm is expected to charge through the central Windward Islands today into the eastern Caribbean Sea.

Tropical storm warnings were in effect for Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Martinique, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada.

According to the local hydromet office, cloudy skies with scattered showers are expected along the Coast and near inland locations are expected today “with outbursts of thunder, flashes of lightning and an increase in wind speed.” “Partly cloudy skies are expected tomorrow and on Monday with isolated thundershowers,” a statement from the hydromet office said. It explained that the tropical wave in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) has a 90% chance of turning into a tropical cyclone during the next  48 hours as it moves west-north westward at  15-20 miles per hour.

“Regardless of development, this system is expected to bring locally heavy rains and strong gusty winds to Tropical-Storm force that is most likely to affect our Coastland,” it advised. It said too that it is expected that this could increase wave energy and therefore sea conditions may become rough with swells that can affect ocean going vessels. It added that atmospheric turbulence may affect air navigation.

The hydromet office said “pilots, users of ocean going vessels (including fishermen) and residents in low lying areas are asked to take necessary precautions.” The body will continue to monitor the system and will provide updates as warranted, the statement said.

Airport sources told Stabroek News yesterday that some flights have been affected by the weather.  LIAT, this newspaper was told, had temporarily stopped its operations due to the weather.

Meanwhile, Deputy Director General of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) Lt Colonel Francis Abraham said that the agency has its staff on alert in case a response is needed.

He said that the agency is in constant contact with the Meteorological Office as they seek to monitor the situation.

Abraham pointed out that the body is not “preparing a response” so to speak.

Abraham said that the CDC would be responsible for coordinating any response by the government in case there is any disaster.  Should any emergency response be required, the agency is equipped to respond. Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud told Stabroek News yesterday that his ministry is on alert.