Impact of drought will carry over into next year, NWC warns

The National Water Commission (NWC) is warning that the impact of the drought will extend into next year.

As a result, the Corporate Public Relations Manager at the NWC, Charles Buchanan, is encouraging Jamaicans to continue to practice conservation measures despite the increase in rainfall in recent weeks.

Buchanan points out that the island has seen improvements in its catchment facilities.

He noted that the Mona Reservoir and Hermitage Dam in the Corporate Area have now returned to 100 per cent capacity.

However, Buchanan says the country may face difficult conditions next year as a result of the lingering impact of the El’ Nino effect.

That weather condition is a naturally occurring phenomenon, which among other things, causes warmer weather and reduced rainfall.

Buchanan says meteorologists have indicated that the year after an El’ Nino drought phenomenon tends to be an even more challenging one as the impact from the previous year tends to carry over.

He says the NWC is mindful of this and the agency remains active in its drought mitigation activities.

 Buchannan is urging Jamaicans to play their part in the country’s water management.