Last Updated on June 5, 2020, 3:30 AM AST by Anthony Morris
The Meteorological Service of Jamaica has urged the Jamaicans to prepare for higher-than-normal temperatures during the summer season, which will begin on June 20 and end on September 22.
Evan Thompson, Director of the Met Office, said that the daytime temperatures have already been above average, with Kingston recording up to 33.5 degrees Celsius and Montego Bay recording around 34 degrees during the month of May.
He noted that the office is currently projecting that over the next few months, the temperatures will continue to be above the average temperatures. It has been like this over the past several months and going into the summer. The office is expecting that it would be higher than usual and that normal is already very hot.
Mr Thompson, said while speaking at a recent virtual town hall hosted by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, that the Met Office is projecting temperatures above 34 degrees Celsius, which, can cause dehydration.
He pointed out that last year, Jamaica had the maximum ever temperature recorded in Kingston, which was very close to bout 38 degrees Celsius or 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, Jamaica needs to be prepared for the increased temperature.
Meanwhile, Dr Kurdell Espinosa Campbell, the Acting Director of Emergency Medical Services in the Ministry of Health And Wellness, has encouraged the residents to take the important steps for staying hydrated through regular water intake.
She said that the exposure to extreme temperatures could be dangerous for the high-risk groups, particularly the elderly, the children and the persons with health issues.
Dr Espinosa Campbell advised that heat injuries run the spectrum from mild to high heat illnesses, which means that if someone is in the sun for a long period, they are likely to be dehydrated.
She said that she recommends that persons should stay out of the sunlight at the critical hours between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm and drink a lot of water if they have to be outdoors.
There are other recommendations, such as wearing sunscreen, wearing hats outdoors, and reducing the outdoor exposure,” she added.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
