PORTLAND, Jamaica — Due to persistent drought conditions, the National Water Commission (NWC) said it will be temporarily ceasing operations at the Turtle Crawle Pumping Station in Portland to build up water storage levels.

The suspension, which will begin at 6 o’clock this evening and end tomorrow at 6:00 am, is necessary due to declining inflows to the Turtle Crawle source, advised NWC.

It said areas to experience a disruption in water supply include Drapers, San San, Castle, Boston and sections of Zion Hill.

The water restriction comes on the heels of recent announcements by the Government that drought conditions could worsen in some areas across the island, especially the eastern part of Portland, if the forecast by the Meteorological Service for July to September remains on track.

Yesterday, the commission informed that service in some sections of St Mary were being scheduled due to declining inflows to two pumping stations in that parish.