Gov’t Concerned about Continued Drought

Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, says that the current drought is a major concern to the Government.
“Cabinet continues to monitor the matter and all available options are being explored at this time,” Mr. Vaz assured the public, as he addressed the issue at Wednesday’s (March 31) Post Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.
He said that Minister of Water and Housing, Dr. Horace Chang, will make some form of statement, in terms of the situation and what plans are expected, based on the fact that the drought is likely to continue for sometime. He also stated that Dr. Chang had submitted to Cabinet a report outlining the effects of the drought conditions on the island.
“The report informed that below average rainfall continued to affect most of Jamaica over the period August 2009 to February 2010, resulting in a meteorological drought across selected parishes. This has affected both irrigation and public water supply systems,” Mr. Vaz explained.
He also noted that, based on the November monthly bulletin from the Meteorological Service, the El Nino phenomenon, which is responsible for the current drought, was expected to last, at least, until April.