Drought money runs low

Daraine Luton, Senior Staff Reporter

Three parish councils appear to be in danger of not receiving allocation from the water ministry to assist with drought mitigation this year.

Robert Pickersgill, the minister of water, land, environment and climate change, speaking in the House of Representatives today, said the Cabinet has approved the financing of a drought remedial programme to the tune of $30 million.

He said parish councils which have outstanding balances from last year's allocation will not receive any new allocation until the balances have been cleared.

"Our records indicate that the three parish councils that have depleted their allotments are Portland, St Thomas and Clarendon," Pickersgill said.

Jamaicans are being urged to conserve on the use of water as a result of drought conditions being experienced in some parishes.

Pickersgill said weather forecast suggests rainfall will be below normal, until at least May.

He said weather station in Savanna-la-mar in Westmoreland, Tulloch in St Catherine and Serge Island in St Thomas reveal extremely dry condition, which is one level above the worse.

The minister said that approximately $100 million will be spent over the next three months on emergency works on storage tanks in drought-affected areas.

He said the National Water Commission will increase the trucking of water to affected areas.

He also said there will be increased water lock-offs at nights.

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