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With the outlook dim for a break in the current dry spell being experienced in some parts of the island, the government is considering convening the National Drought Committee to devise strategies to deal with the problem.
The matter was addressed by Daryl Vaz, Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, in the House of Representatives Tuesday afternoon.
Mr. Vaz noted that February 2018 started the trend of below-average rainfall, which continued through to the secondary rainfall season that started in May.
He said preliminary data for June suggest that the trend has been maintained for most of the country and the forecast for the next few months is cause for concern, especially for Portland, St. Catherine, Clarendon and St. Mary.
As such, he said the government is contemplating reconvening the National Drought Committee to "give attention to the strategies that may be needed to be employed, should the island be forced into a more widespread situation."
With Portland being one of the parishes experiencing below-average rainfall, Mr. Vaz said this is of concern since Portland supplies a significant portion of the water used in parishes like Kingston and St. Andrew.
Mr. Vaz, who is also member of Parliament for Portland Western, said a schedule has been devised for trucking water to Portland residents.
He advised other parishes to make similar plans.
Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie also disclosed that assessments are being done to determine where $35 million allocated for drought relief will be spent.
The allocation was announced last week.
Mr. McKenzie said municipal corporations will be given further information on Monday.
He also encouraged MPs to use money from their Constituency Development Fund to help with drought relief.
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