A flash flood watch is at present in impact for southern parishes in Jamaica as a tropical system brings heavy rain and thunderstorms to the area. The Meteorological Service of Jamaica issued the alert on Wednesday afternoon after vital rainfall led to flooding in numerous areas, together with Marcus Garvey Drive in Kingston.
The flash flood watch signifies that heavy or extreme rainfall could happen inside a brief interval, posing dangers significantly to low-lying and flood-prone areas. The watch covers St. Thomas, Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Catherine, Clarendon, Manchester, St. Elizabeth, and Westmoreland, and can stay in impact till 5 p.m. on Thursday.
In accordance with the Met Service, a tropical wave situated west of Jamaica is interacting with an space of low strain within the southwestern Caribbean. This method is anticipated to linger over the south-central and western Caribbean within the coming days, resulting in unstable climate situations throughout Jamaica. Residents are suggested to remain alert and put together for potential flooding.
“Projections are for intervals of showers and thunderstorms, which can be heavy at instances, to have an effect on sections of most parishes, particularly southern parishes, persevering with this afternoon by to Friday morning,” it stated.
The Nationwide Works Company (NWA) has introduced the closure of the Lavatory Stroll Gorge because of rising water ranges within the Rio Cobre. In mild of this, the Workplace of Catastrophe Preparedness and Emergency Administration (ODPEM) is urging the general public to keep away from utilizing the Lavatory Stroll Gorge hall beneath any circumstances.
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Because the island continues to expertise vital rainfall, ODPEM is advising residents—particularly these in low-lying or flood-prone areas—to stay on excessive alert and ready to evacuate if crucial. The company has issued a number of precautionary measures geared toward guaranteeing public security. These embody figuring out evacuation routes, securing necessary paperwork in waterproof containers, and steering away from broken roads and areas weak to land slippage and flooding.
Moreover, ODPEM is strongly warning towards crossing flooded waterways, reminiscent of fords, gullies, streams, or rivers, whether or not on foot or in autos. There have been current incidents of people being swept away by floodwaters. Residents are inspired to remain vigilant and heed all security warnings as heavy rainfall persists throughout the island.
