Active hurricane season predicted

Local disaster officials have announced that there could be at least four intense hurricanes this year during the hurricane season, which begins on June 1.



Fifteen tropical cyclones have been predicted of which forecasters say eight could be potential hurricanes.



Director of the National Meteorological Service, Sylvia McGill, says the El Niño phenomenon, which contributed to a hurricane free season last year, is expected to weaken this year.



She was speaking earlier today at the launch of Hurricane Preparedness Month, which is observed in May.



Meanwhile, the director general of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Ronald Jackson, says efforts will be made to work with communities to prepare for the season.



Minister of state with responsibility for local government, Robert Montague, announced that the government will be constructing three new flood gates in the Bog Walk Gorge in St Catherine, as part of its mitigation strategy.



This year, the ODPEM is partnering with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries to observe Hurricane Preparedness Month.