IT is going to be a rainy independence weekend. According to the National Meteorological Service, a tropical wave which dumped heavy rains in the eastern section of the island yesterday will continue to affect several parishes today.

The system is expected to move westerly across the island between today and tomorrow and the Met Office has projected thunderstorms and squally showers of varying intensities to affect southern and western parishes.

“Expect partly cloudy conditions and then in the afternoon more partly cloudy conditions but the possibility of showers will be less than (yesterday),” a Met Office spokesman told the Observer yesterday.

Meanwhile, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has warned motorists to be cautious as they travel across the island over the weekend. In a press release issued late yesterday afternoon, the agency urged members of the public to, among other things, exercise caution when using bridges, fords and passes that are near to rivers and streams.

In addition, the ODPEM urged motorists to:

. Avoid driving through water-filled gullies.

. Avoid areas that are at risk of flooding and landslides.

. Stay tuned to the news and weather reports for emergency instructions, if any should be given.

“Motorists are asked to be especially cautious when driving through the Bog Walk Gorge,” the agency warned yesterday.