KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica is currently facing a rapidly changing dry season, prompting the Government to announce a $350 million drought mitigation plan aimed at alleviating the growing water crisis across the island.

With rainfall levels falling below predictions, Acting President of the National Water Commission (NWC) Garth Jackson confirmed that 44 of the commission’s 450 systems have been impacted, with 23 currently operating at less than 50 per cent capacity.

“Eastern parishes have about 40 systems which are affected by the dry season whereas the western parishes have about three which are affected. The rest of the systems: Hanover, Westmoreland, Manchester all are operating larger at capacity currently,” he explained.

In response, the Government’s mitigation strategy will include $150 million in water trucking, distributed through Members of Parliament. An additional $50 million has been allocated to assist with further trucking support to the NWC to service critical infrastructure, and $50 million will go towards the purchase of additional water tanks.

Speaking at a press briefing, Minister with responsibility for water in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Matthew Samuda, emphasised the urgency of the situation.

“We are not getting the rainfall that is aligned with our 30 year calculated averages and that in of itself creates a very difficult circumstance for the water sector, whether it be the NWC, the municipal systems or the National Irrigation Commission, because it makes it very difficult to plan,” he said.

Farmers can also expect relief through a $100 million programme under the Ministry of Agriculture, Mining and Fisheries.

This initiative will support water delivery, the installation of drip irrigation systems and grass purchases. Agriculture Minister Floyd Green is expected to provide more details on the agricultural component of the plan in the coming days.

With weather forecasts showing little sign of improvement in the short term, officials from the Meteorological Service of Jamaica and the Water Resources Authority are urging residents to conserve water wherever possible.

— Brittania Witter