Widespread street flooding across Trinidad triggered traffic chaos, left thousands of commuters stranded and caused blackouts yesterday, following torrential early morning rains that extended into afternoon in some areas.

Within an hour of heavy rain, streets were flooded in Port of Spain and environs, Eastern areas including St Augustine and several parts of Central and South Trinidad. Flooding was reported in parts of Cocorite, Wrightson Road and several streets in downtown Port of Spain.

Among the stranded were people who went into commercial areas with children in two, shopping for school supplies for the start of the academic year in September.