KINGSTON, Jamaica — A flash flood watch is now in effect for eastern and central parishes until 5:00 pm today.

The Meteorological (Met) Service of Jamaica this morning issued the watch for low lying and flood prone areas of St Ann, Trelawny, Manchester, Clarendon and St Catherine. In addition, the Met Service also downgraded a flash flood warning for low-lying and flood-prone areas of St Mary, Portland, St Thomas and Kingston and St Andrew to a flash flood watch.

According to the Met Service a trough currently across Jamaica is expected to remain in the vicinity of the island for the rest of the week.

Showers and thunderstorms, which could be heavy at times, are expected to continue to affect sections of most parishes today through to Thursday, mainly during the afternoons.

A flash flood watch means that flash flooding is possible and residents are advised to take precautionary measures, keep informed through releases from the Met Service and be ready for quick action if flooding is observed or if a warning is issued.