Jamaica in Grips of Worst Drought Since 2015
Jamaica in Grips of Worst Drought Since 2015
KINGSTON, Jamaica – The parish of St. Elizabeth is feeling the pinch as the 2026 drought tightens its hold on the island. By mid-April, several communities, including Junction and Santa Cruz, have reported that their water tanks are running low, with some residents saying they haven't seen a proper shower in over a week.
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The National Water Commission (NWC) says the drought is affecting all 14 parishes, but the southern belt—St. Elizabeth, Manchester, and Clarendon—is hardest hit. NWC spokesman Mark Thomas told HowJamaica.com that the island's major reservoirs, like the Hermitage Dam in St. Andrew and the Rio Cobre system in St. Catherine, are at just 40 percent capacity. “We are asking the public to conserve water as much as possible. The dry season came early this year, and we are not expecting significant rainfall until June,” Thomas said.
For residents like Miss Patricia Gordon, a 58-year-old farmer in Bull Savannah, St. Elizabeth, the situation is desperate. “Mi have fi walk two miles every morning to fetch water from a standpipe. The pipe only run for two hours, and if yuh late, yuh miss out. Is not easy, but we a manage. The government need to send more tankers, because the one we get come every three days, and that not enough,” she said.
The drought has also hit agriculture hard. Farmers in the breadbasket parish are reporting losses in crops like scallion, tomato, and sweet potato. The Jamaica Agricultural Society says that if rain doesn't come soon, the island could see a spike in food prices by summer. “We already seeing the price of some vegetables go up by 20 percent in Coronation Market,” said president Lenworth Fulton.
In Kingston, the NWC has started implementing a water-sheduling system, with some areas getting water only every other day. Business owners are also feeling the heat. At a small hotel in Negril, manager David Chang says they have had to buy two extra tanks to store water for guests. “We can't afford to turn away visitors because of no water. It's costing us an extra $50,000 a month just to truck in water,” he said.
The Meteorological Service says that while a weak La Niña pattern is developing, it may not bring enough rain to break the drought until late May or early June. They are urging everyone to store water when possible and to report leaks to the NWC immediately.
What can you do? Start collecting rainwater if you have a tank—every drop counts. Fix leaky pipes around your home, and limit washing cars and watering lawns. For updates on water trucking schedules, check the NWC's social media pages or call their hotline at 888-225-5692.
