This Morning we gave an update on the country’s preparations for Tropical Storm Melissa.
We outlined key plans, safety measures, and steps being taken to keep Jamaicans safe as the storm approaches.
Stay alert and follow official updates.
An internal investigation has been launched into the situation at the Belmont Cove property, commonly called Little Dunn’s River, in Ocho Rios, St. Ann.
This in the wake of recent reports that the facility, which should be operational on Sundays only, was being operated every day and an entry fee charged.
The property is managed by the Urban Development Corporation (UDC).
Environment minister Matthew Samuda, who is also member of parliament for north east St. Ann, made the revelation in response to questions about monitoring of the property.
Mr. Samuda also refuted claims by lobby group Jamaica Beach Birthright Environmental Movement (JABBEM) that the UDC closed down the attraction.
He said the facility remains open to the public, adding that, following reports of it being taken over by extortionists, the UDC implemented tighter security measures.
https://iriefm.net/samuda-belmont-cove-little-dunns-river-not-closed-udc-implemented-tighter-security/
Honored to bring remarks at the Opening Ceremony of COP18 for the “Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region”, under the theme “Uniting for a Resilient Caribbean.” 
The Government of Jamaica reaffirms its unwavering commitment to protecting our marine environment and advancing regional cooperation for a sustainable, resilient Caribbean and is happy to welcome delegates to Kingston.
Today is World Mental Health Day.
Mental health matters just as much as physical health. Let’s break the stigma, start the conversation, and support one another because no one should have to struggle in silence.
If you’re in St. Ann, help is available at your local health centres such as Brown’s Town, Bamboo, and St. Ann’s Bay. You can walk in or call ahead for mental health clinic days.
Need to talk now? Call the 24/7 Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Helpline at 888-NEW-LIFE (888-639-5433) or the Ministry of Health line at 888-ONE-LOVE (663-5683)
Youth support: Message “SUPPORT” via WhatsApp to 876-838-4897 or call SafeSpot at 888-SAFE-SPOT (888-723-3776).
Breast Cancer Awareness Month reminds us that as Jamaicans, our strength comes from unity. Together, we are stronger than cancer. By spreading awareness across our island, encouraging early detection, and supporting those in the fight, we bring hope to families and communities.
Let us honor our survivors, remember those we’ve lost, and stand firm as one people, one love, one Jamaica for a future free of breast cancer.
Follow the Jamaican Cancer Society @jamaicacancersociety876 for more updates.
Lets make tree planting a habit. Lets make it a part of our culture and identity as citizens of Jamaica and our planet. We are “Cultivating Growth… Tree Planting We a Promote !”
Brazil’s COP30 Presidency and the International Energy Agency (IEA) convened the third High-Level Energy Transition Dialogue in New York, bringing together a wide range of leaders from governments, industry, and civil society to shape the energy agenda for COP30 in Belém, Brazil. The event was organised in partnership with the United Nations Climate Action Team and co-chaired by IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol, COP30 President-Designate André Corrêa do Lago, and Selwin Hart, Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Climate Action and Just Transition
The dialogue took place during the UN General Assembly and was part of the Secretary-General’s “solutions dialogues,” which aim to accelerate progress on global clean energy transitions. The discussions focused on energy priorities under Brazil’s COP30 Presidency and fed directly into the UN Secretary-General’s Special High-Level Event on Climate Action.
Participants included ministers, senior officials, and climate leaders from across the world. Among them were Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC); Christopher Bowen, Minister for Climate Change and Energy of Australia; Ditte Juul Jørgensen, Director-General for Energy at the European Commission; Jochen Flasbarth, State Secretary at Germany’s Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety; Pankaj Jain, Secretary at India’s Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas; Muhammad Rachmat Kaimuddin, Indonesia’s Deputy Coordinating Minister for Basic Infrastructure; Darragh O’Brien, Minister for Climate, Energy and Environment of Ireland; Vannia Gava, Italy’s Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy Security; Matthew Samuda, Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change of Jamaica; Keeyong Chung, Korea’s Ambassador and Deputy Minister for Climate Change; Maina Talia, Tuvalu’s Minister of Climate Change; and Ed Miliband, UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. Also present were Bruce Douglas, CEO of the Global Renewables Alliance, Nigar Arpadarai, COP29 High-Level Champion, and Dan Ioschpe, COP30 High-Level Champion.
The dialogue focused on practical steps to implement global energy goals endorsed by nearly 200 countries, including commitments made at COP28 in Dubai. Central to the discussions were strategies to triple renewable power capacity and double progress on energy efficiency by 2030. Leaders exchanged views on overcoming barriers, mobilising finance, and ensuring that the clean energy transition is both equitable and inclusive.
These High-Level Dialogues, now in their third edition, build on the foundations laid by earlier sessions that helped shape the UAE Consensus at COP28 and the energy outcomes of COP29 in Baku. Organised with the involvement of the UNFCCC Secretariat, the series provides a platform for decision-makers to align priorities and coordinate action, ensuring that COP30 delivers meaningful progress on energy transition goals while laying the groundwork for long-term climate and energy strategies beyond 2025.
The Meteorological Service has:
Extended the Flash Flood Warning for low-lying and flood-prone areas of St. Thomas, Kingston & St. Andrew, St. Catherine, Clarendon, Manchester, St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, and Hanover; effective until 8:00 a.m. on Monday, September 29, 2025.
Discontinued the Flash Flood Warning for remaining parishes, effective immediately.
A Trough, induced by Tropical Depression Nine (which is currently located near The Bahamas), continues to produce a large area of unstable weather across Jamaica. Satellite imagery, radar, and automated rainfall reports indicate that moderate to heavy showers and thunderstorms occurred across sections of southern parishes and Hanover last night into this morning.
The forecast is for periods of showers and thunderstorms, which may be heavy at times, to continue across the island, especially across southern parishes, into Monday. Consequently, flooding and landslides are likely due to soil saturation as a result of significant rainfall since last Thursday.
Additionally, fishers on the cays and banks are urged to exercise extreme caution as sea conditions will continue to deteriorate in the vicinity of showers, thunderstorms and strong winds.
A FLASH FLOOD WARNING means flooding has been reported or will occur shortly. Motorists and pedestrians should not attempt to cross flooded roadways or other low-lying areas as strong currents are likely. Residents in low-lying areas should be on the alert for rising waters and be ready to move quickly to higher ground.
The Meteorological Service will continue to monitor the progress of this system.
For an automated version of this message, please dial 116.
See also our website: http://metservice.gov.jm
At today’s COP30-IEA-UN High-Level Dialogue in New York, the Jamaican Government reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating a just and equitable energy transition.
Together with global partners we are working to triple renewable energy capacity and double efficiency by 2030; placing people, equity, and innovation at the heart of climate action.
Today, I took an oath of office as the Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change. A responsibility I accept with humility and a vision to safeguard Jamaica’s future.