The Government is exploring several strategies to manage the debris left across several parishes in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. “We are examining all the options, including recycling, using wood chippers to reduce the wood, having a structured approach to the recovery of scrap metals and other such strategies to make sure that we can properly manage this debris. Objective...

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) is leveraging advanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology to assess the widespread damage caused by Hurricane Melissa and to strengthen Jamaica’s preparedness for future weather events. During a recent JIS ‘Studio 58A’ live discussion, representatives from NEPA outlined the Agency’s ongoing assessment efforts and the critical role of technology in national recovery. Senior...

Community Relations Officer for the National Works Agency ( NWA) Western Office, Janel Ricketts, said the agency is working to repair a section of breakaway along the Sign main road in St. James. “The roadway connects commuters and residents from Sign to areas such as Lottery and Virgin Valley. A section of that corridor has been cut off, so persons...

WPM Waste Management Limited will be intensifying operations to remove waste from communities across St. James, including the mini dump sites for hurricane debris. “In the coming days, you will see an increase in the operations whereby additional tipper trucks [and backhoes] have been engaged to be deployed to clean all the dump sites,” said WPM Regional Operations Manager, Dramaine...

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the Government is working with the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) to bring in additional resources, including 300 linesmen, to return electricity to the island at a quicker pace. “On the general trajectory, it could be as long as six months before electricity is returned to every community in Jamaica,” Dr. Holness...

Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Commander Alvin Gayle, says that more than 115,000 relief packages have been delivered, to date, through the national system. He noted that the packages, including sanitisation and hygiene kits, have benefited 282 communities islandwide. “The national relief effort remains robust,” he said, noting that the agency continues to...

The Water Resources Authority (WRA) says groundwater levels in Content, Manchester, which caused flooding in the community, are now slowly receding. The rising water levels have been attributed to the significant rainfall experienced before and during the passage of Hurricane Melissa on October 28. Deputy Managing Director of the WRA, Geoffrey Marshall, who made the disclosure, noted that on‑site observations...