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PORT ANTONIO — The first in a series of public education expositions on disasters in St. Mary was hosted by the parish’s Disaster Committee in the community of Gayle, on June 24. Held as part of activities to observe June as disaster preparedness month, the event had as its objective, the sensitisation of residents about the importance of supporting initiatives...

KINGSTON — Consumers now have less to worry about the accuracy of water bills, as the National Water Commission’s (NWC) testing laboratory has been retrofitted and upgraded to ensure greater accuracy of its water meters. The laboratory upgrading and accompanying facilities were made available under the Jamaica Water Supply Improvement project (JWSIP), at a cost of some US$14 million. Minister...

MONTEGO BAY — More than 300 students from four schools in St. James have been sensitised about the importance of protecting the environment and marine life, through a series of workshops organised by the Spanish-Jamaica Foundation. The workshops, which got underway on June 20  at the Anchovy Primary and Anchovy High schools, culminated on June 21 with sessions at the...

KINGSTON — Jamaica is susceptible to a number of natural hazards, particularly tropical storms and hurricanes, which often leave the country devastated, and faced with the task of rehabilitating and rebuilding infrastructure following the passage of these events. The country has felt the full effects ofmajor weather systems, such as Hurricanes Ivan and Charley in 2004, Dennis and Emily in...

MANDEVILLE — Minister of Water and Housing, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, says plans are underway to upgrade two informal communities in South Clarendon, to provide land tenure for the residents and to provide housing solutions for working people in the parish. The Minister, who toured the area on June 15, with officials of  the Ministry and Minister of Health, Hon....

Managing Director of Smith Warner International Limited, Dr. David Smith, has stressed the importance of countries in the Caribbean, particularly Jamaica, effectively managing and mitigating the impact of coastal-related hazards, in order to conserve resources. “The Government of Jamaica has to recognise that in order to get to its Vision 2030, one of the things we have to do is...

PORT ANTONIO — The Portland Parish Disaster Committee is undertaking a public education programme aimed at sensitising residents about the importance of disaster preparedness and mitigation. The initiative got underway in April but gained momentum in June, which is being observed as Disaster Preparedness Month under the theme: ‘Building disaster resilient communities…our first line of defence'. In an interview with...

PORT ANTONIO — The St. Mary Disaster Committee will be hosting a series of public education expositions on disasters, in various communities of the parish during the remainder of June and in July, to alert residents on the importance of supporting initiatives designed to prevent and mitigate the effects of those acts of nature. Disaster Co-ordinator for the parish, Yolanda...

KINGSTON — Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, says the cost of damage sustained by the island’s infrastructure due to persistent torrential rains over the last week, should be known next week, when an assessment is undertaken by the National Works Agency (NWA). Speaking on June 8 at a post-Cabinet media briefing, held at...

The Meteorological Service has extended the Flash Flood Warning for low-lying and flood-prone areas of Trelawny, St. James, Hanover, Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth until 5 pm today. A Flash Flood Watch however remains in effect for all other parishes. A flash flood warning means flooding has been reported or will occur shortly. The Area of Low Pressure across the western...

MONTEGO BAY — The heavy rains lashing the island for the last few days have had little or no impact on the western parishes. Reports from the Disaster Preparedness Co-ordinators in the parishes of Trelawny, St. James, Hanover and Westmoreland, have outlined only three minor land slippages and one blocked road in the region. Disaster Preparedness Co-ordinator for Trelawny, Dion...

The Meteorological Service has continued the Flash Flood Warning for low-lying and flood-prone areas of all parishes until 5 p.m. tomorrow. A flash flood warning means flooding has been reported or will occur shortly. Motorists and pedestrians should not attempt to cross flooded roadways or other low-lying areas as strong currents are likely. Residents in low-lying areas should be on...