FIVE parishes continue to experience drought conditions, ranging from normal to severe as Jamaica enters the eighth week of its first dry period.

Cabinet yesterday voted $12.7 million to be used by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) to assist drought-stricken areas.

Minister of Information Senator Burchell Whiteman told yesterday’s post cabinet press briefing that reports brought to the cabinet meeting by Minister of Land and Environment Dean Peart showed that 10 parishes were being affected by “lower than average” rainfall.

The worst affected are Westmoreland, Hanover, Clarendon, Manchester and St Elizabeth. They normally receive very little rainfall, and particularly so during the day season.

“Therefore, the effects on these areas are greatest,” said the water ministry in a statement. “The outlook for Jamaica is for no significant increase in rainfall before May.”

The $12.7 million will enable ODPEM, working with the ministries of land and environment, local government, agriculture, and water and housing, to bring some measure of relief to householders and farmers in these areas.

The National Water Commission (NWC) is collating information on available water supply and is meeting with relevant agencies to develop strategies to manage those supplies.

In the meantime, the water agencies are urging conservation, the ministry said.

And, in its own release yesterday, NWC advised that queries can be made via a toll free line 1-888-CALL-NWC.

The commission will be implementing a “valve regulation system” for its customers in the elevated communities of Newcombe Valley, St Elizabeth as well as Parchment, which will get regulated supplies for nine hours every Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm.

Additionally, Treasure Beach and Bluntas are scheduled to get piped supplies on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.