“The Creeping Phenomenon”

The summer season is fast approaching and most times this is accompanied by droughts.we never really recognise the importance of water until its presence becomes limited or none existent. How much do we know about a drought and how prepared are we to deal with it?

A drought can be defined as a moisture deficiency that has serious adverse effects on a community usually by reducing food production or surface water supplies. Drought can be highly destructive and it is now thought that climate change is fuelling a rise in the intensity and frequency of drought around the world. Drought is sometimes called a “creeping phenomenon” because it moves slowly but steadily into an entire region and lingering for long periods of time.to deal with drought effectively, it is crucial to determine when it started, how severe it is and when it is likely to end.

Droughts are not normally considered disasters. they are usually just normal parts of climate and weather and can occur anywhere and can only become disasters when they last for a really long time and when they affect a lot of people. The long term mean annual rainfall of Jamaica shows a pattern of two (2) distinct wet months, October and May.the drier months are January, February, March and July. Of notably significance is that this pattern can vary annually. It is recognised that human activity could influence the global climate system through global warming and this could alter the rainfall patterns of tropical countries like Jamaica.

We are often encouraged to conserve on energy and water but not many of us actually do so effectively .today, we are compelled to pay serious attention to our use of water as the drought becomes more real as evidenced in the ‘lock-offs’ and the threat of prosecution for using water to wash vehicles or water lawns unless the water is recycled.we are also encouraged to turn taps off when washing our faces or brushing our teeth and not let it run as well as to report all leaks. As we go through this difficult time, let us be more mindful of the ways in which we can economize and practice the conservation tips that we have been given until the dry season passes.