The government has allocated $150 million for the trucking of water to drought-stricken areas.

Forty million of this amount will be disbursed immediately.

Minister with responsibility for water, Matthew Samuda says the areas to receive immediate funding are Manchester, Westmoreland, Clarendon, St. Elizabeth, as well as Eastern Portland and Eastern St.Thomas.

This is the first of many drought alleviation steps to be taken.

Noting that Jamaica has a bi-modal rainfall pattern with February traditionally being the driest month of the year, Mr. Samuda says that as early as last December, there were reductions in rainfall in the south-central and western sections of the island.

Mr. Samuda states that 5% of the National Water Commission’s systems are being regulated.

This does not include systems supplying the Corporate Area.