Budget busted!

Gary Spaulding, Senior Gleaner Writer

THERE ARE early indications that the havoc wrought by the heavy rains on the national Budget will be as devastating as it has been on several communities over the past two days.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding yesterday admitted that his administration was bracing for further onslaught from the rains, as well as a massive price tag for the damage it has unleashed on the island's infrastructure.

Golding warned that while it was too early to provide an estimate of the havoc wrought, early indications were that adjustments would have to be made to the Budget.

"If the rains continue, we could have significantly more challenges," the prime minister warned.

He was amply supported by senior representatives from the critical agencies at what should have been the weekly post-Cabinet press briefing.

"The damage is going to be expensive," declared Golding, following a preliminary aerial assessment that had to be aborted because of poor visibility.

He said donor countries are not likely to respond in the same manner as they would in the event of a hurricane.

The forecast from the Meteorological Service is that rains are likely to continue to pelt the already oversodden island.

Director of the Met Service, Sylvia McGill, told journalists that the weather system associated with Tropical Storm Nicole could continue until tomorrow.

More devastating showers

She served notice that two additional weather systems lurking ominously near the island could produce more devastating showers.

But already the picture is grim.

Golding said the worst affected parishes were Kingston and St Andrew, Clarendon and St Catherine.

The prime minister revealed that shelters were activated in these parishes as well as St James.

He said arrangements were in place for emergency supplies to be dispatched to affected areas as well as other communities that have been cut off.