THE Water Resources Authority (WRA) is urging farmers to prepare for worsening drought conditions by adopting more conservative irrigation practices as Jamaica continues to endure extreme heat and reduced rainfall under the influence of the El Niño weather pattern — forecast to extend into next spring.

Speaking during a Jamaica Observer Press Club at the newspaper’s St Andrew headquarters last Friday, chief hydrologist at the WRA Nia Ramsoogoon detailed that El Niño presents a twofold challenge for the island’s water resources by increasing dryness, and reducing rainfall.

The hydrologist explained that while the country is experiencing a meteorological drought, the effect on rivers, reservoirs , and ground water are not yet being felt, but she is encouraging precaution before conditions worsen.