标签： Jamaica

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon has issued a stern warning to residents of St James, urging them to avoid unsafe routes and adhere to the guidance of emergency personnel. Speaking at a follow-up meeting of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) held at the St James Municipal Corporation on Monday, Vernon emphasized that most roadways in the parish are now accessible, with the exception of Spring Mount and the route to Cambridge via Montpelier and Seven Rivers. ‘We strongly advise against attempting to cross Seven Rivers. The water levels remain high, and it is unsafe until authorities give the all-clear,’ he stated. To mitigate the challenges, work is underway at John’s Hall to establish an alternative route for communities typically accessed via Lottery. Vernon highlighted the coordinated efforts of key stakeholders, including the Jamaica Constabulary Force, Jamaica Fire Brigade, National Works Agency, and public health officials, in the ongoing recovery process. The focus remains on restoration, clean-up, and monitoring to restore normalcy. The mayor also praised residents for their cooperation and assured them of the government’s commitment to rebuilding their communities. The EOC continues to meet regularly to assess progress and provide updates on critical sectors such as infrastructure, sanitation, and public health.

In the early hours of Tuesday morning, a devastating fire of unknown origin engulfed two residential buildings on Cornwall Street in Falmouth, Trelawny. The structures, which also accommodated a daycare center and housed upholstery and technician operations, were completely gutted by the flames. Firefighters demonstrated remarkable bravery in their efforts to control the blaze, successfully preventing it from spreading to adjacent properties. This incident follows closely on the heels of another fire that destroyed a house on Queen Street just days prior. Authorities have launched investigations to determine the causes of both fires, though no definitive conclusions have been reached yet. The community remains on edge as they await answers and assess the damage.

Jamaica’s 100-meter world champion, Oblique Seville, has made a significant contribution of $500,000 to the United Way Jamaica Restoration and Rehabilitation Fund. This initiative aims to provide critical support to farming communities devastated by Hurricane Melissa. Seville’s donation aligns with a broader effort by private sector donors, including a $1.5 million pledge from the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), launched at their office on Tuesday. Additionally, United Way International, the parent organization, has contributed $21 million to bolster the fund. The Restoration Fund is designed to deliver immediate relief and long-term recovery assistance to disaster-stricken areas, with a particular focus on the agricultural sector. Seville, 24, whose parents are farmers, expressed his deep connection to agriculture, stating, ‘Agriculture is what I am brought up on. For me with my parents and everything, it is actually what built me, and I see how hard it is to do agriculture. Sometimes farmers do give back, so for me to give back is something special.’ Dressed elegantly in a black suit and white shirt, Seville emphasized the importance of nutrition for athletes and his gratitude for the opportunity to support his country.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) High Command is grieving the untimely death of Constable Christopher Condappa, who tragically lost his life in a motor vehicle collision on Monday afternoon. The incident occurred on Anglican Street in Moneague, St Ann, at approximately 2:30 pm. Constable Condappa, a 34-year-old member of the Moneague Traffic Department, was riding his service motorcycle when a Suzuki Swift, traveling in the opposite direction, collided with his vehicle. He sustained severe injuries and was rushed to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The JCF High Command has expressed profound sorrow and extended heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues, emphasizing the deep impact of this loss on the constabulary. In response to the tragedy, the JCF’s Chaplaincy Unit, Medical Services Branch, and Welfare Department are actively providing support to Constable Condappa’s loved ones and his team at the Moneague Traffic Department during this difficult time.

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic—The Dominican Republic faced a widespread power outage on Tuesday, leaving the capital city of Santo Domingo and other regions in the dark. The blackout, attributed to a ‘transmission system failure,’ was announced by the state-owned energy company ETED, though the exact scale of the disruption remains unclear. The outage impacted critical public services, including the metro and cable car systems in Santo Domingo, prompting the evacuation of stranded passengers. While some areas retained electricity and internet connectivity, social media reports confirmed outages across multiple regions. This incident follows weeks of recurring power failures, with outages lasting up to 10 hours in recent weeks. Authorities have cited insufficient maintenance and illegal connections as primary causes of the ongoing energy crisis, exacerbating the strain on the nation’s infrastructure and its 11 million residents.

Conservation biologist Damion Whyte from The University of the West Indies has expressed deep concern over Jamaicans capturing native birds that have ventured into human-populated areas in search of food and water following Hurricane Melissa. Whyte highlighted social media posts showing individuals offering these birds for sale as pets, a clear violation of Jamaica’s Wildlife Protection Act.

In a social media statement, Whyte emphasized the illegality of capturing and selling these birds, stating, ‘I don’t feel sorry for you if the law catches up on you… because these birds are going through a lot — no water and can’t find food — and all you are thinking of is to put them in cages.’ He explained that the hurricane’s devastation has forced birds into unfamiliar territories, making them vulnerable to predators, including humans.

Whyte, who has been assisting with hurricane relief efforts, observed birds feeding on fallen fruits in residential yards, a behavior unusual for these wild species. He lamented that some individuals are exploiting the birds’ vulnerability by caging them, often leading to their death. A TikTok video surfaced showing a man boasting about capturing four parrots, claiming to have ‘rescued’ them. The video has sparked outrage among conservationists.

Whyte also revealed that some individuals have been selling parrots for prices ranging from $24,000 to $28,000 each, with reports of many birds dying in captivity. He urged the public to report such activities to the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) or the police.

To support the birds’ recovery, Whyte advised homeowners to place fallen fruits in areas inaccessible to predators like cats and mongooses. He also recommended using granulated sugar in bird feeders, avoiding syrup or brown sugar, and cleaning feeders regularly. NEPA has issued similar guidance, reminding the public that capturing or caging native birds is illegal and urging them to report injured birds for professional assistance.

Whyte concluded with a plea: ‘Let the birds be. I hope the authorities take action against the people, especially those on social media who are showing how they catch the birds.’

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, farmers in Portland, Jamaica, are counting their blessings despite significant agricultural losses. While the storm wreaked havoc on their crops, many are relieved that the damage was not more severe. Among those affected are Dennis and Oral Brown, a father-and-son farming duo from Orange Bay, who have been working tirelessly to salvage what remains of their harvest. Their farm, which primarily grows coconuts, plantains, jackfruit, and avocados, suffered extensive damage, with many trees uprooted and produce spoiled. The Browns managed to gather approximately 500 coconuts, falling short of their 1,000-coconut target, and are now pricing them at $10,000 per 100 units. Plantains are being sold at $800 per dozen. Despite the financial setback, Dennis expressed gratitude for their safety, stating, ‘We still giving thanks for life.’ Meanwhile, Prince Dias, a veteran fruit vendor operating on the border of Portland and St Mary, shared similar challenges. His banana and plantain crops were completely destroyed, leaving him without produce to sell. Dias, who has been in the business for 15 years, estimates it will take up to a year to recover fully. Both the Browns and Dias are focusing on alternative sources of income, such as raising livestock, and remain hopeful for the future. While the road to recovery will be arduous, the resilience and gratitude of these farmers shine through in the face of adversity.