Jamaicans are once again being urged to conserve water as the country continues to face severe drought conditions.

Matthew Samuda, minister of water, environment and climate change, said the prolonged lack of rainfall is placing increasing pressure on Jamaica’s primary water sources, making conservation essential.

“The projections and forecasts from the Met Service, which they have cross-checked with the Caribbean Meteorological Organization in Florida, do not suggest any rainfall of consequence in Jamaica over the next few weeks. And that is incredibly unusual,” Samuda said in a statement.