Rains Leave 13 Dead in Jamaica
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Thirteen people have died and 2,000 have been left homeless by rains that have battered Jamaica for more than a week, police said Friday.
In a radio broadcast, Construction Minister Bruce Golding said many people in the area had taken refuge on rooftops, where they awaited rescue.
Prime Minister Edward Seaga said Thursday night that the rains had reached “disaster proportions,” with 2,000 persons now housed in 17 shelters across the country, mostly in the west and south.
The rains have also interrupted Jamaica’s sugar harvest, and industry officials said it is doubtful that the production target of 200,000 tons will be met.
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