Ministry Monitoring Heightened Activity At Piparo Mud Volcano

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

In a Media Release today (Wednesday 24th December, 2025), the Ministry said it is conducting Initial Damage Assessments 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 (MoW), 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, the Ministry notes that 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.

The CTTRC issued the following Safety Update at 2:15 PM this afternoon (Wednesday 24th December, 2025): “Please be advised that access through Piparo Road is currently restricted due to increased activity at the Piparo Mud Volcano. Motorists are strongly urged to exercise caution and adhere to all safety advisories.”

Speaking on the situation, Minister of Rural Development and Local Government, the 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 co-ordination with all relevant agencies to ensure that appropriate measures are implemented swiftly should conditions change.”

The Ministry said it “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 Media Release concluded by saying, “The Ministry continues to closely monitor the situation and will provide further updates as assessments progress.”

More on this as it becomes available.