Headlines:
| Tropical Storm Gustav crossing region slowly |
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| Wednesday, 27 August 2008 | |
 A Tropical Storm Warning and a Hurricane Watch remains in
place for the island as Tropical Storm Gustav continues to move slowly away
from Haiti.At five o'clock on Wednesday, the centre of Gustav was located about 90 miles South East of Guantanamo, Cuba, or just North of the Western tip of Haiti's Southwest peninsula. Utility companies prepared The nation's public utilities have assured Jamaicans that they are well-prepared for Gustav. The Jamaica Public Service, said Wednesday that it's taking steps to ensure that it can respond effectively if the island is affected by unstable weather associated with the tropical storm. The light and power company said its Emergency Operation Centres (EOC's) are on standby and that it has sufficient materials to speed restoration efforts after the storm. The JPS said the EOCs would be activated 12 hours before the country starts feeling the effects of the hurricane and would respond to emergencies in the respective parishes. The utility also reminded its customers to take precautions while trimming trees near power lines and to stay away from fallen lines during the passage of the storm. And the National Water Commission also reported that it's ready for the onslaught of tropical storm Gustav. Public Relations Manager Charles Buchanan said the company began double checking its 460 water supply systems and 68 waste water systems across the island. In addition he said special equipment and operating systems were being test-run to ensure efficiency. However, despite this the NWC encouraged customers to store water as there may be some disruption in supply due to the fact that some of its intakes are located in river beds which are susceptible to flooding. The National Irrigation Commission Limited (NIC) is currently monitoring the storm's movement and intensity ahead of a possible shut down of its systems island-wide. As part of the shutting down process, all pumps would be de-activated, main circuit breakers turned-off and sluice gates opened to allow water to flow through freely while canal in-take gates would be closed to allow water to run-off to the sea. Additionally, an Emergency Disaster Team would monitor the Irrigation Systems throughout the storm to prevent flooding. The NIC encouraged livestock farmers to store water for their animals. After the passage of the severe weather system, the Commission will try to facilitate requests for emergency supplies of water especially for livestock and poultry, wherever possible. Warning for Farmers Farmers have been urged to take all the necessary precautions to protect their livestock and property in anticipation of heavy rains associated with the tropical storm. Agriculture Minister, Dr Christopher Tufton said Wednesday poultry and livestock farmers should move their animals to higher ground and those who have greenhouses should remove plastic coverings and reap mature produce. He noted that the ministry has been in dialogue with the Met office to determine the areas that could be affected by flood waters. Meanwhile, the Executive Director of RADA, Al Powell says following the passage of the system the damage assessment will be carried out within three days. He said farm stores have been alerted to stockpile seeds in the event that wide scale replanting of domestic crops becomes necessary. Business as usual for Air J Air Jamaica says its business as usual for it's flights departing the island despite Gustav. However, Air Jamaica Chairman Shirley Williams said Wednesday that there have been delays due to runway problems. "At this moment we have no reason to cancel or delay our flights due to the impending tropical storm Gustav. However, we do have some serious delays due to a hole in the runway in Montego Bay, so some flights. We will do a review on Thursday and inform our customers," she said. Gustav brushes neighbours And as Gustav lumbers on its track through the Greater Antilles, at least two persons were killed in Haiti after what was hurricane Gustav hit the impoverished country Tuesday night. Neighbouring Dominican Republic discontinued its hurricane warning after taking a beating from Gustav as well. In Cuba, ex-President Fidel Castro issued an essay mentioning the hurricane and pledging that the government in Havana guarantees no-one will be forgotten. The storm lingered for hours over Haiti's deforested southern peninsula, felling trees and raising water levels on banana, bean and vegetable fields. Hundreds of people in coastal Les Cayes ignored official warnings to seek shelter, instead throwing stones in protest at the high cost of living. UN peacekeepers and Haitian police fired tear gas to disperse the crowds. Haiti was hit a week ago by Tropical Storm Fay which left more than two dozen dead. Gustav is the seventh tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. |