Caribbean weather: Jamaica issues water prohibitions amid low rainfall forecasts

Jamaica is facing a period of below-normal rainfall and elevated temperatures through late August 2026. Water Minister Matthew Samuda has issued a plea for residents and farmers to conserve water, noting that the rainfall season may be disrupted by lingering El Niño conditions. A water prohibition order is scheduled to take effect on Monday, August 17, covering Kingston, St. Andrew, St. Thomas, St. Mary, Portland, St. Ann, and St. Catherine.

In the wider Caribbean, a tropical wave located approximately 1,400 km east of the Lesser Antilles is expected to bring heavy rainfall and gusty winds to the region, particularly the northern Windward Islands, starting late Friday night. While the system has weakened and lacks a closed circulation, its impact remains a possibility for parts of the Lesser Antilles.