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Port of Spain, Dec 26 (Prensa Latina) The Trinidad and Tobago government today offered assistance to three member countries of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) where heavy rains have caused 13 deaths and significant infrastructure damage.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says Trinidad and Tobago is ready to assist St. Vincent, St. Lucia, and Dominica, where torrential rains were reported Dec. 24-25.

Minister of National Security Gary Griffith, the national Office of Disaster Management and Preparedness, and the National Security Operations Centre, will continue to monitor developments, said Persad-Bissessar, who is chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

On Tuesday, landslides and flooding killed 13 people on the three islands and caused serious damage to housing, roads and bridges, along with power and water supply cuts.

Authorities and OECS experts were searching for people reported missing.