Concern still persists over long term drought in the Caribbean

The Barbados-based Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH), Tuesday said that while there is less concern over short term drought, there remains much concern over long term drought as the end of the year approaches.

In its latest Caribbean Drought Bulletin released here, the CIMH said that the drought situation is of even more concern given that the wet season is also coming to an end.

“This enhances concerns related to water availability moving into the dry season. In particular, underground water sources and large, rivers could continue to be depleted, particularly in portions of the eastern Caribbean, French Guiana ad Belize.”

The CIMH said that long term drought situation -by end of November2019 -is of immediate concern in southeastern Belize, while noting that long term drought is evolving in Antigua , Barbados, northern and central Belize, Dominica, French Guiana, Grenada, St Kitts and Trinidad and Tobago.

It said that long term drought might possibly continue in Hispaniola and Martinique and might also develop in northern Puerto Rico, St Martin, St Vincent and the United States Virgin Islands.

“Areas ending up in long term drought may experience significantly reduced water levels in large reservoirs, large rivers and groundwater during the upcoming dry season,” the CIMH added.

In a review of the situation in the region for August, the CIMH said that there were mixed conditions were seen throughout the islands of the eastern Caribbean.