Farley Augustine Warns Tobago to Prepare Now for Drought Threat

Tobago must begin preparing now for drought-like conditions that could stretch from 2026 into the 2027 dry season, Chief Secretary Farley Augustine has warned, after the Tobago House of Assembly brought its internal arms together to assess water supply readiness.

Speaking from the Office of the Chief Secretary, Augustine said the island is facing an unusually strong 2026 terminus, meaning reduced rainfall between September and November. That, he said, makes it likely Tobago will enter the 2027 dry season already under drought-like conditions carried over from 2026.

“We can’t wait until they draw through each of the dry seasons come to them throw our hands in the air and see we have no water. We’re preparing from now,” Augustine said.

The THA’s response has been coordinated across three areas. Tourism officials are collecting data to determine what hotels and restaurants will require, while infrastructure is examining whether dams need dredging and how to improve water collection in catchment areas. Public utilities is looking at desalination, along with mobile and modular units that can be deployed where needed.

Augustine said the assembly is now looking at how to fund these solutions and what it needs to provide. He also said the THA will later meet with WASA to cement the measures.

Residents were invited to submit their own ideas in the comments, with Augustine saying suggestions would be taken into account as the planning moves forward.

Article and image source: facebook.com