After the NEMA’s(National Emergency Management Agency) advisory on the Tropical Storm called “TS Tammy”, Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr Terrance Drew, announced that all government offices and schools will remain closed at midday on 20th October. Along with this announcement, private sector organisations are also advised to exercise extreme caution.
PM Dr Drew was on a Canada visit to attend the Canada-CARICOM summit. He returned from Canada in the wake of alerts issued by NEMA on a Tropical storm. As per NEMA warnings, tropical storm conditions can occur anytime within the next 48 hours. Citizens are strongly advised to be vigilant in forthcoming days. Fishermen and Boat operators are asked to stay safe from the coastal areas.
It is to be specifically mentioned that almost every country in the Caribbean region is very vulnerable to any climate change-related happening. Many other countries of the region also issued a similar advisories for their citizens to stay alert and vigilant.
There are apprehensions that this tammy storm will begin to impact the Lesser Antilles later today and can turn into a Hurricane after striking the eastern islands of the Caribbean with movement across the Leeward islands tomorrow. Due to the effect of the Tammy storm, heavy rain is expected in the country.
The storm has sustained a wind speed of 40 miles per hour, and it is expected that it will reach the leeward islands of the Caribbean later this week with more strength.
Concerning the threat of tropical storms, a meeting on 19th October was held with the partnerships of all those whose task in the National Disaster Plan is to collaborate in mitigating the Impact of natural disasters. Acting Prime Minister Dr Geoffrey Hanley also attended this meeting.