SEVERE DROUGHT CONDITIONS TO CONTINUE OVER GRENADA FOR THE NEXT THREE MONTHS

Severe drought conditions currently being experienced over Grenada are expected to persist over the next 3 months.

This is the view of scientists from the Caribbean Drought and Precipitation Monitoring Network (CDPMN) based at the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology, Husbands St. James, Barbados, who have been analysing rainfall trends in the Caribbean since January 2009.

Analyses show that severe drought conditions were experienced in Grenada for the year 2009, with particularly, the last 3 to 6 months being extremely dry. This is believed to be responsible for an increased demand for irrigation water, a reduction in stream flow and a general depletion in water resources.

Forecast models currently indicate that for the period January to March 2009, below normal conditions will persist over the southern portion of the eastern Caribbean exacerbating the environmental impacts, and in particular extending drought conditions for a further 3 months.