Dear Editor,

Recently, it was reported by the media that water levels at our two main water facilities — Mona Reservoir and Hermitage Dam — were at low levels and the Government has instituted water restriction measures in the Corporate Area in response to this problem.

Recent scientific data confirms that global oceans are experiencing unprecedented, above-normal temperatures fuelled by a strengthening El Niño phenomenon. Forecasters expect this climate pattern to intensify, persisting through early 2027 and likely peaking by March or April of that year.

Globally, warmer seas inject extra moisture and thermal energy into the atmosphere, which typically increases extreme weather and heavy rainfall in many regions. However, the Caribbean faces a uniquely different impact: El Niño significantly weakens the easterly surface trade winds while intensifying upper-level winds. This creates strong vertical wind shear and suppresses regional moisture, resulting in much drier weather and lower localised rainfall projections.

While this hostile wind shear traditionally squashes tropical development, scientists warn that this year’s record-breaking ocean temperatures could counteract El Niño’s dampening effect, leading instead to highly volatile, rapidly intensifying hurricanes. Alarmingly, experts caution that these intense global climate anomalies may remain with us for a prolonged period.

It is, therefore, critical the Government continues to renovate the existing dams and build additional ones as, given the current water shortage and below-normal projected rainfall, we must be ready for any eventualities.

Of significance is the fact that the population has increased over the last 40 years, which makes it crucial that we build capacity to sustain the future generation.

Daniel Morgan

daniel.morgan@uwi.edu