00:00Government officials say Trinidad and Tobago must prepare for months of dry conditions
00:05as the El Nino weather pattern strengthens. Speaking at a Ministry of Public Utilities
00:11media conference, Acton Chief Executive Officer of the Meteorological Service said there is now
00:17an 80% probability that El Nino conditions will intensify between August and October,
00:23with the event expected to peak between November 2026 into February 2027.
00:30We should prepare for reduced rainfall during the latter part of this year's wet season
00:36and the worrying part for us, it will extend and continue into the upcoming dry season.
00:44This could result in lower inflows into our reservoirs, which in turn may affect the availability
00:51of water for domestic, agricultural, industrial and commercial use.
00:57Minister of Public Utilities Barry Padarath said the country's immediate concern is its water supply,
01:03noting that several reservoirs were below 50% capacity as of June. While recent rainfall has
01:10helped, he warned reservoirs may still fall short of full capacity before the next dry season,
01:16placing additional strain on an already challenged water system. He added that the government is
01:22working with the Inter-American Development Bank to strengthen water resilience.
01:26There was a lack of injection of resources in terms of a number of infrastructural projects across the country.
01:35And while we have been there for the last year, we have been spending a significant amount of time
01:41working with the IDB and other agencies, inclusive of planning and others to place a lot of emphasis
01:54and resources in the coming financial year because it requires a lot of scoping, a lot of planning ahead,
02:03a lot of identifying the funding for these projects to materialise.
02:10Meanwhile, the Water and Sewerage Authority says it has already activated measures to protect the nation's water supply.
02:16Refurbishment works at the Hillsborough Water Treatment Plant are improving filtration, chemical dosing
02:24and overall plant reliability. At the Carony Water Treatment Plant, rehabilitation of the Travelling Bridge
02:32is in progress steadily. Once completed, these improvements will enhance sedimentation performance
02:41and allow approximately 5 million gallons of water per day to be recirculated throughout the treatment process,
02:52increasing production capacity. Minister of Planning Kennedy Swaratsingh says preparation must also happen at the
03:00community level. He urged citizens to conserve water, stay hydrated, protect vulnerable people, avoid activities that
03:08could spark bushfires and store enough water for periods of reduced supply. He also announced plans for public
03:15awareness campaigns, community outreach and cooling stations where necessary. While the Ministry of Health
03:21prepares measures to protect those most vulnerable to extreme weather, the Meteorological Service also warned that
03:27drought conditions are expected to develop first in parts of Tobago before gradually affecting Trinidad.
03:33The Ministry of Public Utility says WASA will begin a nationwide public awareness campaign in the coming days,
03:40encouraging every citizen to help conserve water as Trinidad and Tobago prepares for the months ahead.
03:46Rochelle Edwards, TV6 News
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